Brighton congratulates Super Falcons goalkeeper on Ballon d'Or nomination

English Women’s Super League club, Brighton and Hove Albion, have extended heartfelt congratulations to their new goalkeeper and Nigeria’s first-choice shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, following her nomination for the 2025 Ballon d’Or Yachine Trophy.

Nnadozie was among five elite goalkeepers named on the shortlist for the award by France Football on Thursday.

The Yachine Trophy honours the world’s best goalkeeper and is named after legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin.

The 2025 nominees for the women’s Yachine Trophy include: Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC & Germany), Cata Coll (Barcelona & Spain), Hannah Hampton (Chelsea & England), Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal & Netherlands) and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Nigeria)

Brighton, who recently signed Nnadozie from Paris FC, took to their official X (formerly Twitter) account to celebrate her achievement.

“Congratulations to #WAFCON24 winner @NadozieChiamaka with a well-deserved #BallonDor Yachine Trophy nomination! 🧤🇳🇬”

The 24-year-old goalkeeper has enjoyed an outstanding year at both club and international levels.

At Paris FC, she played an important role in their historic French Women’s Cup triumph, famously saving two penalties in a dramatic 5-4 shootout win over Paris Saint-Germain.

Her heroics didn’t end there, Nnadozie carried her red-hot form into the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where she led the Super Falcons to a record-equaling 10th continental title.

Nigeria came from 2-0 down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final, and Nnadozie was deservedly named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

It’s not just Nnadozie flying Nigeria’s flag at the Ballon d’Or. Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu was also nominated in the Best Women’s Coach category.

Madugu masterminded Nigeria’s victorious WAFCON campaign, guiding the team through tough fixtures and sealing a dramatic win in the final.