The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chiamaka Nnadozie

  • Nnadozie ‘orders’ Super Falcons to reclaim WAFCON title

    Nnadozie ‘orders’ Super Falcons to reclaim WAFCON title

    Goalkeeper  Chiamaka Nnadozie  has tipped the  Super Falcons  to  reclaim  the foremost  women’s continental prize at the forthcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    The FC Paris goal-minder  who has been  twice awarded  the Africa’s Best Goalkeeper at the  CAF Awards, said it was painful that the Super  Falcons  lost  to their Moroccan counterparts  at the last   tournament, adding the  team  would be guided  as they  bid  for their  12th continental title. 

    Nnadozie admitted that the Super Falcons are  drawn in a ‘tricky’ Group B that houses  Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana hence  they must redouble their efforts  to reach the knockouts of the 2024 WAFCON.

     “People might think it’s a manageable group, but the reality is very different,” the 24-year-old  goal-minder, told  CAF’s website.  “Women’s football has made huge strides in recent years. “Every team is improving, working hard, and investing in development. We saw it in the last AFCON, where many of the favourites were shaken. No one can be underestimated anymore.

    “This group is tricky, and we have to treat it with the seriousness it deserves. Qualification won’t be handed to us we’ll need to earn it through hard work and discipline,” she noted.

     ‘Save  Hands’ as Nnadozie is fondly called, said it was a big honour to  fly  Nigeria’s flag with the Super Falcons: “Wearing the Super Falcons jersey means carrying a legacy. It means playing for the generations before us who won everything. The spotlight is always on us.”

    She further shared her optimism  of winning  the WAFCON title yet again after  being part of  the country’s winning team  of 2018 at the forthcoming   15th edition of the biennial women’s  championship due in Morocco between  July 5 and 26.

    Read Also: NFF mourns as 1980 AFCON winner  Bassey dies in Eket

    “To me,  the AFCON (WAFCON)  holds the same weight as a World Cup,” the former  Rivers Angel’s ‘ keeper who  was in goal for the Super Falcons at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France,  and Australia & New Zealand respectively, further  explained.  “The atmosphere, the stakes, the intensity it’s all there.

    “ I remember the 2022 edition in Morocco: packed stadiums, incredible supporters. You feel lifted by an entire continent.

    “And personally, I’ve never been the starting goalkeeper when we’ve won a title. This time, I want to lift that trophy from the pitch to play a real part in the victory,” she added.

  • 2024 HEADLINERS: Rise  and  rise of Chiamaka Nnadozie

    2024 HEADLINERS: Rise  and  rise of Chiamaka Nnadozie

    For a player whom her father never wanted to play football, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has done well for herself.

    On December 16, 2024, at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakech-Morocco, the Super Falcons of Nigeria and Paris FC’s undisputed number one, was awarded for the second year running,  the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award to cap up an outstanding year for both  country and club.

    The 24-year-old shot-stopper beat Khadija Er-Rmichi of morocco, and Andile Dlamini of South Africa to the coveted prize.  

    Although, she missed the highest honour in the women’s category; the CAF Women’s Player of the Year, she was deservedly crowned the best women’s  goalkeeper of the Year .

    This solidifies her reputation as one of the finest shot-stoppers in world football, after winning it last year.

    Zambia’s Barbra Banda emerged winner of the Women’s highest prize after impressive performance for her country and Mamelodi Sundown, where she scored 17 goals.

    Nnadozie was 19 when he was handed the valued Nigeria jersey prior to a 2019 Women’s World Cup group match in Grenoble, France, and her act between the poles and leadership role has risen in dimension.

    Yet, her story did not start from 2019. It began three years down the line with Rivers Angel, climaxing in 2019, when she helped the Port-Harcourt team win the NWPL league.

    She was quickly spotted by the national team handlers and represented national teams at both the U17 and U20 levels from 2016 to 2018.

    Nnadozie’s talent couldn’t be kept at that level for long. She was handed the senior national team’s gloves a year later and since then, she has held on to it due to her consistency at continental and international competitions.

    At the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, she won the MVP in the match against Haiti for her daredevil saves, which also attracted offers from Europe. Paris FC eventually got her signature in 2020 and she has remained on top of her game for them.

    Read Also: CAF AWARDS: Mbah praises  Lookman, Nnadozie, Super Falcons

    The 2024 award is largely based on her recent performance. In France she had an outstanding season, earning the Goalkeeper of the Season award after her performances helped her club secure a third-place finish in the French league.  

    Nnadozie also represented Nigeria at the Paris Olympic Games, further cementing her reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in African football.

    Nnadozie played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s impressive campaign at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and was instrumental in Paris FC’s historic run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where her heroics in penalty shootouts earned global acclaim.

    At only 24, Nnadozie has become a role model to aspiring young girls and she knows it too. 

    She dedicated the CAF award to young girl who dares to dream.

    “This is for every young girl who dares to dream. I am honoured to represent Nigeria and Africa on this stage. This award is a testament to hard work, resilience, and the incredible support I’ve received from my teammates and coaches,” she affirmed. 

  • BREAKING: Nnadozie wins women best goalkeeper of the year at CAF Awards

    BREAKING: Nnadozie wins women best goalkeeper of the year at CAF Awards

    Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has won the women best goalkeeper award of the year at the CAF Awards held in Morocco.

    Chiamaka Nnadozie, a key figure in Nigeria’s football resurgence, has had a standout year, playing an instrumental role in the Super Falcons’ qualification for next year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Read Also: BREAKING: Super Falcons win national team of the year at CAF awards

    Her stellar performances helped Nigeria secure a spot in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after a 16-year absence.

    Additionally, her remarkable displays with French club Paris FC also placed her at a greater advantage.

  • Women’s Best Player: Nnadozie  faces  stiff test against Mssoudy, Banda

    Women’s Best Player: Nnadozie  faces  stiff test against Mssoudy, Banda

    Super Falcons and Paris FC shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has been picked as one of the top three finalists for the CAF Women’s Player of the Year Award.

    The Nigerian will lock horns with Morocco’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Zambia’s Barbara Banda for the prestigious title.

    However,  Malawian sisters, Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga  who made it to the final five-woman shortlist, did not make the  final cut as the list was narrowed down to three.

     According to CAF, all three finalists have delivered outstanding performances for their countries and clubs throughout the year.

    Read Also: PSG to cough  N131.8 billion for Osimhen next month

    “After a rigorous voting process, the final three nominees for Women’s Player of the Year can be revealed with Zambia striker Barbra Banda, Morocco forward Sanaâ Mssoudy and Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie still in the running,” CAF said on its website. “These three outstanding players shone throughout the year and in their own way have embodied the excellence and passion of African football.”

    Significantly, Nnadozie played a crucial role in Nigeria’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics and has been a key player for Paris FC, currently third in the league after 10 games.

    With Nnadozie in goal, Paris FC has lost just once in their last 10 league matches, keeping four clean sheets and maintaining a seven-game unbeaten streak.

  • CAF names Nnadozie in  Women’s Player of the Year finalists

    CAF names Nnadozie in  Women’s Player of the Year finalists

    Paris FC  star also for Goalkeeper of the Year prize

    Super Falcons and Paris FC shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has been named in the final shortlist  of five to battle for  the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year to be decided at the Palais des congrès de Marrakech, Morocco on December 16.

    The Confederation  of African Football(CAF)  yesterday unveiled the top five nominees in each of the women’s categories at the upcoming 2024 CAF Awards with Nnadozie  also listed   for the  Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Prize which she incidentally won with glee last year.

     According to the continental soccer ruling body, the 2024 CAF Awards cover the period from January to October this year.

    “This year’s nominees reflect the excellence in women’s football across the continent after their impressive performances at club and national team level,” CAF said in a statement. “The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category includes five exceptional shot-stoppers while the Interclub Player of the Year category highlights five standout performers who shone during continental competitions.”

    For the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year, Nnadozie  will battle it out with Malawian

    ‘dynamic sisters’  Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga   as well as  Morrocan Sanaâ Mssoudy and  Zambiam Barbra Banda.

    Meanwhile, Falconets forward, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu also made the final cut in the  Women’s Young Player of the Year category.

    Okwuchukwu shone for the Falconets at the   2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.

    Nigerian champions Edo Queens  that  recently  finished fourth at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, are also nominated for the Women’s Club of the Year.

    The Super Falcons are also in contention for the Women’s National Team of the Year  where they are  set  to fight it out against South Africa, Morocco, Zambia  and Cameroon’s U-20 team.

    Another Nigeria’s interest is that of   Falconets ‘ Head Coach, Chris Danjuma , who  made the final cut for  the Coach of the Year Award.

    According to CAF, the  winners of each category will be determined through votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of Interclub competitions.

    Last year, Asisat Oshoala earned the title of CAF Women’s Player of the Year, and this year’s nominees will look to follow in her illustrious footsteps.

    Read Also: NFF launches monthly Football Awards today

    Full List of Nominees (in alphabetical order by Member Association):

    Player of the Year (Women)

    1.     Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)

    2.     Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)

    3.     Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)

    4.     Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)

    5.     Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)

    Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

    1.     Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)

    2.     Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)

    3.     Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)

    4.     Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)

    5.     Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

    1.     Merveille Nanguji (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)

    2.     Lacho Flora Marta (DR Congo / TP Mazembe)

    3.     Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

    4.     Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR)

    5.     Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)

    Young Player of the Year (Women)

    1.     Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar)

    2.     Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

    3.     Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

    4.     Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels)

    5.     Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Coach of the Year (Women)

    1.     Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe)

    2.     Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar)

    3.     Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR)

    4.     Chris Danjuma (Nigeria U-20)

    5.     Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape)

    National Team of the Year (Women)

    1.     Cameroon U-20

    2.     Morocco

    3.     Nigeria

    4.     South Africa

    5.     Zambia

    Club of the Year (Women)

    1.     TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

    2.     FC Masar (Egypt)

    3.     AS FAR (Morocco)

    4.     Edo Queens (Nigeria)

    5.     Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

  • Nnadozie excited over Best Goalkeeper award in France

    Nnadozie excited over Best Goalkeeper award in France

    Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has expressed her excitement after she won the prestigious  best goalkeeper  prize at the 2023/24 French Division 1 Féminine awards.

      Nnadozie has  dazzled between the sticks for PSG’s local rivals, Paris FC and the 23-year-old Nigeria international boasted 10 clean sheets in 28 appearances as she helped Paris secure a top-three finish in the league.

    Congratulating  herself on the feat, Nnadozie  who scooped CAF  the Best Goalkeeper Award  at the last  CAF Awards in Morocco in December, posted this on her Instagram account  as she  hailed the impact of her coaches as well as support from her teeming fans.

    Read Also: Govt committed to workers’ safety

     “Grateful and excited to have won the French D1 Arkema goalkeeper of the year. a big thanks to everyone who voted for me and also a special appreciation to my coaches and teammates for all the support and encouragement it wouldn’t have been possible without you all to my amazing family and my Naija fans, Una too much, I love you all. I GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY,” she wrote on her Instagram account.

    Meanwhile, Tabitha Chawinga  has been named the best player in France’s top tier having impressed with her goalscoring ability.

    Chawinga, who is a Malawi international, played 25 matches, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists for the runners-up Paris Saint Germain.

    Therefore, the 27-year-old forward has been named the best player in France’s top tier having impressed with her goalscoring ability.

    Chawinga and Nnadozie were both included in the 2023/24 French Division 1 Féminine team of the season.