Brighton Hail Chiamaka Nnadozie’s Ballon d’Or Feat
PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 14: Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC celebrates victory at full-time following the UEFA Women's Champions League group stage match between Paris FC and Real Madrid CF at Stade Charlety on December 14, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Nigeria and Africa’s top women’s safe hands, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who on Monday evening finished fourth best goalkeeper in the 2025 Ballon d’Or Award,
has received plaudits from the Head Coach of her new club, Brighton and Hove Albion, Dario Vidosic.
The WSL side had two nominees for the Women’s Awards – Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie and England’s Michelle Agyemang.
The former Paris FC goalkeeper Nnadozie was beaten to the award by 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 in that order.
But Vidosic was thrilled to have two of his players present at the prestigious awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night.
Brighton and England’s Michelle Agyemang, like Nnadozie, also finished fourth in the Women’s Kopa rankings.
“As a club, squad, and everyone affiliated with the women’s programme at Brighton, we are all really proud of them,” the former Australia midfielder said in a statement posted on the club’s official website yesterday.
“It’s a fantastic achievement to be recognised for one of the most prestigious awards in the footballing world.
“They both had a tremendous summer and lifting continental trophies after winning the Euros and WAFCON, it just showcases how important they were to the success of both their national teams.
“I’m sure when they were growing up and they were in the back garden and playing football, they were probably dreaming of these moments. For them both to fulfil that in their nomination is incredible.
“They should both be proud of their nomination for this evening,” the 38-year-old concluded.
The duo represented their respective nations in continental competitions and emerged victorious.
While Nnadozie kept four clean sheets in six games as Nigeria’s Super Falcons went all the way to winning their 10th WAFCON title, Agyemang played a pivotal role in England’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 victory in Switzerland, winning the young player of the tournament award.
