Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has been shortlisted for the 2025 International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Women’s Best Goalkeeper award, further cementing her reputation as one of the brightest goalkeeping talents in world football.
The 24-year-old, who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League (WSL), earned the nomination after a stellar year for both club and country.
Nnadozie’s performances at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco were particularly influential, as she helped the Super Falcons claim a record-extending 10th continental title. Her outstanding saves and commanding presence between the posts saw her named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, a fitting recognition for her pivotal role in Nigeria’s success.
Her consistency has continued in England, where she has been a standout performer for Brighton this season. The Nigerian international joined the Seagulls from Paris FC earlier this year and has already become a key figure in Enzo Maresca’s WSL side, earning multiple Player of the Match awards for her agility, composure, and leadership from the back.
This latest nomination comes on the heels of several other career milestones. Nnadozie was also a finalist for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, finishing fourth in the global rankings behind some of the game’s elite goalkeepers. In addition, she remains a contender for the 2025 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award, making her one of the few African players in the running for both continental and international honours in the same year.
The IFFHS Women’s Best Goalkeeper Award, established in 2012, celebrates the most outstanding female goalkeepers across world football. Winners are chosen through votes cast by journalists, historians, and experts from over 120 countries, assessing performances across club and international competitions.
Nnadozie faces strong competition for the 2025 crown. Among the nominees are Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger of Gotham FC, Spain’s Cata Coll of Barcelona, England’s Hannah Hampton of Chelsea, and Chile’s Christiane Endler of Lyon – all established stars in the women’s game.
Also shortlisted are Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands/Arsenal), Katharine Tapia (Colombia/Palmeiras), Lorena Leite (Brazil/Kansas City Current), Phallon Tullis-Joyce (USA/Manchester United), and Jennifer Falk (Sweden/Häcken).
The winner of the IFFHS award will be announced in December 2025.
Nnadozie’s rise to prominence has been rapid but well-earned. Since breaking through as a teenager with Rivers Angels, her fearless displays earned her a move to Paris FC in 2020, where she established herself as one of the top goalkeepers in France’s Division 1 Féminine. Her performances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League — particularly her penalty saves and quick reflexes — gained her international recognition and admiration from fans and pundits alike.
At international level, she has been a cornerstone of the Super Falcons’ dominance, representing Nigeria at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups. Known for her vocal leadership, distribution, and penalty-stopping prowess, Nnadozie continues to inspire a new generation of African goalkeepers.
Speaking after her IFFHS nomination, Nnadozie expressed gratitude and determination to keep improving. “It’s always an honour to be recognised at this level,” she said in a brief statement released by Brighton. “I’m proud to represent my club and my country, but I also know there’s still more work to be done. Every match is a chance to grow.”
Her nomination marks another milestone for African women’s football, with Nigeria continuing to produce top talents who are making waves globally. Should Nnadozie win, she would become the first African woman to claim the IFFHS Best Goalkeeper Award — an achievement that would further highlight the continent’s growing influence in the women’s game.
As December approaches, the eyes of fans across Nigeria and beyond will be fixed on the final announcement. Whether she wins or not, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s nomination confirms her place among the very best in the world — a testament to her resilience, consistency, and world-class ability.
