Nnadozie Makes History as Africa’s Top Goalkeeper, Ranked Fourth in the World

Super Falcons’ shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has achieved a historic milestone, being ranked the fourth best female goalkeeper in the world at the prestigious Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.

The 24-year-old Paris FC goalkeeper finished just behind Hannah Hampton of England—the inaugural women’s Yachine Trophy winner—alongside Ann-Katrin Berger of Germany and Cata Coll of Spain.

Nnadozie outpaced Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands) to secure her place in the world’s top four.

This recognition makes her the first African goalkeeper ever—male or female—to break into the global top four, a feat celebrated as a continental breakthrough for women’s football.

Stellar Season for Club and Country
Nnadozie’s ranking is the result of a remarkable year both with Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Paris FC.

She was instrumental in Nigeria’s victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, keeping four clean sheets in six matches and producing game-changing penalty saves that earned her the award of Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

At club level, she continued her dominance in the French Division 1 Féminine and the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where her agility and commanding presence in goal have made her one of the most feared goalkeepers in Europe.

Speaking after the announcement, Nnadozie said:

“It is an honour to represent Nigeria and Africa on this stage. This recognition is not just for me—it belongs to my teammates, coaches, and every young girl who dreams of playing football. I hope this inspires the next generation to believe that nothing is impossible.”

Fans and Officials Celebrate
The news sparked jubilant reactions across Nigeria and beyond.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) hailed her as “a national treasure and a symbol of African excellence on the world stage.”

Fans flooded social media with praise, with hashtags like #ProudlyNaija and #NnadozieTheWall trending within hours.

Nigerian sports analyst, Kunle Solaja, described her achievement as “a defining moment for African women’s football, proving that talent from the continent can compete with the best in the world.”

Internationally, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) congratulated Nnadozie, calling her “a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions of African girls.”

Even rival players applauded her achievement, with Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll noting, “Nnadozie is one of the toughest opponents I’ve faced. She deserves every bit of recognition.”

A Career on the Rise
Since making her senior debut at 18 during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she became the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet, Nnadozie has steadily risen to global prominence.

She is already a two-time CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and is tipped by many to claim the top spot in future global rankings.

Her story is now being celebrated not just as a personal triumph but as a symbol of Africa’s growing influence in women’s football.