The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has extended heartfelt congratulations to Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie following her remarkable recognition at the prestigious 2025 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony held in Paris, France.
Nnadozie made history on Monday night as she secured the fourth position in the women’s Goalkeeper of the Year category, becoming the first Nigerian, and indeed one of the very few Africans, to ever receive such a global honor. Her outstanding performances for both club and country in the past year earned her this milestone recognition, cementing her status as one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football.
The highly-coveted award, however, went to Chelsea and England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, whose exploits on the international stage gave her the edge in the final voting. Nonetheless, Nnadozie’s achievement has been described as a victory for Nigeria and the African continent at large.
NFF’s reaction
Reacting to the news, the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, released an official statement on Tuesday, describing Nnadozie’s success as a “monumental feat” that showcases the growth and global relevance of Nigerian football. He applauded her resilience, consistency, and leadership qualities, both for her French club Paris FC and the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons.
“Congratulations to @NGSuper_Falcons safe hands Chiamaka Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or Ceremony,” the statement read. “This is no small accomplishment considering the calibre of goalkeepers she competed with. We are very proud of her and strongly believe she has the talent, determination, and vision to bring this trophy home to Nigeria in the nearest future.”
The NFF further highlighted that Nnadozie’s recognition will serve as a motivation for upcoming female footballers in Nigeria, proving that global excellence is attainable with hard work and dedication. The federation pledged continued support to her career and to the Super Falcons in their bid to dominate international women’s football.
Madugu also recognised
In addition to Nnadozie’s achievement, the Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu was also celebrated on the global stage, as he finished fourth in the Women’s Coach of the Year category. This acknowledgment comes after his remarkable work in steering Nigeria to impressive performances in international competitions. The award in this category was ultimately won by England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman, who has continued her dominance in women’s football management.
The twin recognitions of both player and coach have been hailed by Nigerian football enthusiasts as a positive sign of progress, spotlighting the Super Falcons as a force to reckon with on the global stage. For many fans, Nnadozie’s rise to global recognition is just the beginning of greater accomplishments to come.