The Nigeria Football Federation has extended congratulations to Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justine Madugu following their strong showings at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards in Paris. Nnadozie earned a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Yashin Trophy, while Madugu also placed fourth in the Women’s Coach of the Year category.
Nnadozie, who currently plays for Brighton & Hove Albion, has already established herself among Africa’s finest. She has twice won Africa’s Best Goalkeeper award and was crowned Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her performances in Morocco were instrumental to Nigeria’s capture of a record 10th WAFCON title.
In a statement, the NFF said, “We heartily congratulate Chiamaka Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish in the race. It is a commendable feat given the calibre of goalkeepers she was up against. Finishing fourth is a big achievement and we believe in her capacity to win this trophy very soon.”
Madugu was also singled out for his global recognition. The NFF noted that his fourth-place finish underscores the wisdom of appointing him as Super Falcons coach, especially after he led the team to the WAFCON title in Morocco.
At the Ballon d’Or event, Nnadozie finished behind Hannah Hampton (Chelsea / England), Ann‑Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), and Cata Coll (Barcelona), placing ahead of Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal) in the top five. Meanwhile, Madugu competed with finalists such as Sarina Wiegman, Sonia Bompastor, Arthur Elias, and Renée Slegers.
These recognitions mark a significant moment for Nigerian women’s football. They affirm that talent and dedication from Africa can compete and be recognized even at the highest global stages. The NFF promises to build on this momentum, and many are hopeful that both Nnadozie and Madugu will soon go from “congratulated” to “crowned.”
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