The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has celebrated Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justine Madugu after both secured fourth-place finishes at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards held in Paris on Monday night, September 22.

Nnadozie, who has steadily risen into one of the brightest names in women’s football, finished fourth in the Trophée Yachine category, which honours the world’s best goalkeepers at the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Chelsea and England’s Hannah Hampton claimed the prize ahead of Gotham FC’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Barcelona’s Cata Coll, while Arsenal’s Daphne van Domselaar rounded out the top five behind Nnadozie.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper, currently with Brighton & Hove Albion, has enjoyed a stellar run of form. She retained her crown as Africa’s Best Goalkeeper for a second consecutive year and was also named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where she helped Nigeria clinch a record 10th title.

NFF General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi described her latest achievement as proof of her exceptional talent and growing influence on the global stage.

“We heartily congratulate Chiamaka Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish in the race. It is a commendable feat given the calibre of goalkeepers she was up against. Finishing fourth is a big achievement and we believe in her capacity to win this trophy very soon,” Sanusi said.

The federation also extended its congratulations to Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu, who finished fourth in the Women’s Coach of the Year category. The award went to England manager Sarina Wiegman, with Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias, and Arsenal’s Renée Slegers also making the shortlist.

Sanusi noted that Madugu’s recognition reflects the wisdom of the NFF’s decision to appoint him as the Falcons’ boss, a choice that has already been vindicated with Nigeria’s WAFCON triumph in Morocco.

“Coach Madugu’s feat further underscores the fact that the NFF was right to have given him the Super Falcons’ head coach role, which had earlier been validated with him leading the team to victory at the WAFCON in Morocco. We congratulate him on this feat and wish him victory in the awards in the coming years,” Sanusi added.

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