Chiamaka Nnadozie Reveals Loneliness at Brighton

Super Falcons and Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has opened up on the challenges she has faced since moving to England, admitting that she cries almost every day due to loneliness. The Nigerian international made the revelation on Nike and Versus’ show Nothing Off The Table, which explores what it takes to succeed at the highest level and what it truly means to be a global icon today. The show featured Lucy Bronze, Mariona Caldentey, Nnadozie, and Wieke Kaptein, who discussed topics ranging from football on the pitch to personal relationships off it. Speaking about adjusting to life in a new environment without family, friends, or familiar faces, Nnadozie revealed that her transition from Paris FC, where she spent five years, to Brighton was particularly tough. “It’s not really easy. People think you just come on the pitch and play, but they don’t know the struggles behind it. Since I moved to Brighton, I cry almost every day because I feel lonely. I miss my family,” Nnadozie said. She added that her teammates and coaches have been instrumental in helping her settle: “Thanks to my teammates and coaches, they always check up on me to make sure I’m okay. The most important thing is having people who genuinely care about you. Going on preseason with the team also helped me a lot; the unity and togetherness really made a difference.” Despite the challenges, the 24-year-old believes the experience has made her stronger and more independent. “There were things I thought I couldn’t do on my own, but now I can. I never believed I could live alone, but I’m doing that now. I think I’m becoming a woman, which is really good.” Since her arrival, Nnadozie has quickly become a fan favourite at Brighton. She has impressed in her first four games, keeping two clean sheets and helping her side to two wins, one draw, and a loss.

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Ballon d’Or: NFF Congratulates Nnadozie, Madugu

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated Super Falcons and Brighton & Hove Albion of England’s safe hands Chiamaka Nnadozie on her fourth-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, in Paris on Monday night. Nnadozie, who has been Africa’s Best Goalkeeper for the past two years, was also named Goalkeeper of the Tournament for this summer’s Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, where she played a key role in Nigeria’s 10th triumph. “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,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said. Sanusi also gave kudos to Super Falcons’ Head Coach Justine Madugu, who also finished fourth in the Women’s Coach of the Year category. “Coach Madugu’s feat further underscores the fact that the NFF was right to have given him the Super Falcons’ head coach’s 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.” Nnadozie finished fourth behind England and Chelsea FC’s Hannah Hampton who took home the Trophée Yachine (named after former Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin), Gotham FC’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Barcelona FC’s Cata Coll. She however finished above Arsenal FC’s Daphne van Domselaar in the Top Five. Madugu was fourth in a race won by Sarina Wiegman, who led England to the UEFA Women’s Championship title, and which also included Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor, Brazil’s Arthur Elias and Arsenal FC’s Renée Slegers.

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Estate Developer Gifts Nnadozie, Lookman Plots of Land in Abuja

A well-known estate developing company, Jedo Investment Company Ltd has donated plots of land worth 400 square metres each, within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and reigning Africa Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman. The land is situated inside the Jedo Mega Estate in Ushafa, Abuja. In a letter signed by its General Manager (Human and Business Relations), Anthony Onwuma, Jedo Investment said it was “particularly inspired” by Nnadozie’s performance as Super Falcons’ goalkeeper at the recently-concluded 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. “Your efforts not only helped secure the championship but also served as a shining example of dedication and excellence for millions of Nigerians and football lovers around the world.” With regards to Lookman, the reigning Africa Player of the Year, the company noted: “Your outstanding performance, resilience, and excellence on the pitch have not only brought immense pride to Nigeria but have also cemented your position as one of the finest in the world today. Your achievement is a testament to hard work, discipline, and an unyielding commitment to excellence values that resonate deeply with our brand.” Nnadozie, who is also the reigning Africa Goalkeeper of the Year (retaining the title she won in 2023), was selected as the Best Goalkeeper of the 13th Women AFCON, and has had a fabulous past three years at club level in Europe. Both star players have been offered the position of Brand Ambassador for Jedo Investment company.  

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Mission X: Super Falcons Impressive in Scoreless Draw With Portugal

Reigning Africa’s best goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie had a game to remember forever as Nigeria’s Super Falcons provided both flair and steel in a 0-0 draw with hosts Portugal in a pre-WAFCON friendly match in Lisbon on Monday. The nine-time African champions, aspiring boldly for a 10th title, only arrived in Portugal less than 24 hours before the encounter, but advertised no signs of fatigue or lassitude as they stood up to the Portuguese in a game that indicated readiness to battle for the continental crown in Morocco. A back pass by Christy Ucheibe allowed Diana Silva sight of the Nigeria goal in the 6th minute, but her shot spurned the ball away from goal. In the 9th minute, Nnadozie plucked the ball off the air from a pull-out, and at the other end, the fabulous Francisca Ordega cut into the box and found captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose smart turn and shot nearly wrong-footed goalkeeper Ines Pereira. Nnadozie pulled off another epic save in the 24th minute, and as the home girls launched onslaught after onslaught, only Nnadozie’s heroics and stonewall defending by the Falcons kept the scoreline even. Just before half time, Nigeria could have taken the lead against the run of play, but Rinsola Babajide overhit the ball from an opportunity that presented itself after Ordega had been foiled with a last-ditch effort. In the second stanza, Africa’s number one pulled off three world-class saves within a spate of four minutes, denying the dangerous Jessica Silva, Fatima Pinto and Andreia Norton. The injection of Ifeoma Onumonu, Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde rejuvenated Nigeria’s game, and as the Falcons took control, Ordega’s brilliant move and pass into the box in the 64th minute went begging. The Falcons revved the engine to dominate the final 20 minutes, during which the vibrant Ordega rattled the crossbar from distance and Onumonu just fell short of squaring past the goalkeeper from another inspired Ordega cross. At the end, the Super Falcons gave a good account of themselves, and left the Portuguese fans stunned with an elegant outing at the Estádio José Gomes. The Nigeria contingent will depart from Lisbon for Casablanca on Wednesday, where they will take on Ghana’s Black Queens in another friendly match on Sunday. Their first match of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations comes up on Sunday, 6th July against Tunisia in Casablanca.

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CAF Awards ’24: Nnadozie tops Women’s Player, G’keeper of the Year shortlists

Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated the CAF Women’s Player of the Year and the Goalkeeper of the Year awards. In the Women’s Player of the Year category, Nnadozie will slug it out with Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais),Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current), Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR) and Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride). The Nigerian also have Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe), Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR), Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) to battle to retain her crown in the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) category. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) unveiled the top five nominees in each of the women’s categories at the upcoming 2024 CAF Awards, as excitement mounts for the ceremony to be staged on 16 December, 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco. The 2024 CAF Awards cover the period from January to October this year. Five outstanding players have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year, including the dynamic sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga (Malawi), Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria) and Barbra Banda (Zambia). This year’s nominees reflect the excellence in women’s football across the continent after their impressive performances at club and national team level. 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. Emerging talents are celebrated in the CAF Young Player of the Year category featuring top nominees, while the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year category honours the technical brilliance of five coaches. The awards also recognize the contributions of national teams and clubs. The nominees for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year are Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and the Cameroon Under-20 side, while Club of the Year contenders include TP Mazembe (DR Congo), AS FAR (Morocco), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). 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. The #CAFAwards24 continue to celebrate the outstanding achievements of African footballers, coaches and teams. 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. Full List of Nominees (in alphabetical order by Member Association): Player of the Year (Women) Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais) Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current) Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR) Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC) Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride) Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe) Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar) Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR) Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC) Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Young Player of the Year (Women) Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar) Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels) Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Coach of the Year (Women) Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe) Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar) Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR) Chris Danjuma (Nigeria U-20) Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape) National Team of the Year (Women) Cameroon U-20 Morocco Nigeria South Africa Zambia Club of the Year (Women) TP Mazembe (DR Congo) FC Masar (Egypt) AS FAR (Morocco) Edo Queens (Nigeria) Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

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