Super Falcons’ goalie, coach bag 2025 Ballon d’Or nomination

Abdullateef Fowewe

Nigerian women’s football has been thrust into the global spotlight as Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justin Madugu earned nominations for the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.

Nnadozie, 24, was shortlisted for the Women’s Yachine Trophy, honouring the world’s best female goalkeepers, while Madugu competes for the title of best women’s coach.

Nnadozie’s outstanding season includes back-to-back CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year awards (2023, 2024), recognition as Best Goalkeeper in the French Division 1 Féminine, and relentless form at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where she secured the Golden Glove and was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

These performances underpin her inclusion among elites like Ann-Katrin Berger and Hannah Hampton for the Ballon d’Or goalkeeping prize.

On the sidelines, Madugu’s tactical mastery led the Super Falcons to victory in their historic 10th WAFCON title in Morocco.

His inspirational leadership earned him the Coach of the Tournament accolade at WAFCON 2024 and now a Ballon d’Or nomination places him among the game’s top women’s coaches globally, competing with names like Sarina Wiegman and Sonia Bompastor.

This marks a crowning achievement in Madugu’s coaching career, following decades of experience in Nigerian women’s football.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place on September 22, 2025, where the football world will celebrate the finest talents.