Nigerian football is celebrating a double honour as Chiamaka Nnadozie and Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu, have both been named among the nominees for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards, organized by French Football.
Madugu, who guided the Super Falcons to their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco just last month, has earned a nomination in the category for Women’s Team Coach of the Year. His tactical brilliance and leadership throughout the tournament drew widespread praise.
On the other hand, Nnadozie’s consistent brilliance in goal has been rewarded with a place on the shortlist for the Women’s Yachine Trophy—an award dedicated to the best female goalkeepers in the world.
The 23-year-old Paris FC shot-stopper played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s triumphant WAFCON campaign, earning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award and a spot in the Team of the Tournament. She now becomes the first Nigerian goalkeeper to ever make it onto a Ballon d’Or shortlist.
Nnadozie is joined on the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy shortlist by some of the world’s finest, including Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany, Spain’s Cata Coll, England’s Hannah Hampton, and Daphne van Domselaar of the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Madugu faces tough competition for the coaching prize. Also nominated are Chelsea Women’s boss Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias, Arsenal’s Renée Slegers, who led her side to Champions League glory, and Sarina Wiegman, who guided England to a triumphant European title in July.
Winners across all categories will be announced at a gala ceremony later this year in Paris.
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