By Abiola Olawale
In a historic moment for Nigerian football, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justine Madugu have happily secured nominations for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.
The announcement was made on August 7, 2025, with Nnadozie shortlisted for the Women’s Yachine Trophy and Madugu vying for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year award.
The New Diplomat reports that Nnadozie, the 24-year-old shot-stopper, has become the first Nigerian goalkeeper—male or female—to be nominated for the prestigious Women’s Yachine Trophy, recognizing the world’s best female goalkeeper.
Her nomination follows an extraordinary 2024/25 season, both at club and international levels.
Nnadozie played a key role in Nigeria’s 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title win in Morocco in 2024. She kept four clean sheets in six matches, conceding only twice from open play, and earned the WAFCON Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper.
However, Nnadozie faces stiff competition for the Yachine Trophy, with top nominees including Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC), Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women), and Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women).
Also, Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Women’s Team Coach of the Year.
The 61-year-old, who had never coached outside Nigeria before taking the Super Falcons helm, led the team to an unbeaten campaign at the 2024 WAFCON, securing Nigeria’s 10th continental title.
