Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has been crowned the CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time, reaffirming her status as Africa’s most dominant shot stopper and one of the world’s rising goalkeeping talents.
The 23-year-old Super Falcons star was honoured at the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony after a remarkable year for both club and country. Her triumph places her among the most decorated Nigerian female footballers of her generation and underscores her growing influence in women’s football across the continent.
Nnadozie, who plays professionally for Paris FC in France, earned the award following a string of outstanding performances throughout the year. She was instrumental in Paris FC’s impressive league campaign and their deep run in European competitions, where her reflex saves, penalty-stopping prowess, and leadership in the defensive line repeatedly drew global attention.
For the Super Falcons, Nnadozie produced several decisive performances during the 2025 WAFCON qualifiers and international friendlies, helping Nigeria maintain one of the strongest defensive records in African women’s football. Her consistency between the posts has made her a central figure in the team’s rebuilding efforts as Nigeria pushes to reclaim continental dominance.
In her acceptance speech, Nnadozie expressed gratitude to her teammates, coaches, and Nigerian fans worldwide, saying the award was a reflection of collective hard work. “Winning this for the third time means a lot to me. It motivates me to keep improving, keep inspiring young girls, and keep representing Nigeria with pride,” she said.
Analysts and former footballers have praised the young goalkeeper for her rapid development, noting that her command of the penalty area, distribution accuracy, and calmness under pressure set her apart from peers across Africa.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe described Nnadozie as “one of Africa’s brightest talents,” adding that her achievements continue to elevate the profile of African women’s football on the global stage.
READ ALSO: UEFA approves Barcelona’s Camp Nou return in Champions League
Nnadozie beat strong competition from Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, both of whom had outstanding seasons for club and country. However, her consistent excellence, leadership, and match-winning interventions gave her a clear edge.
Her latest award solidifies her status as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s football future, with expectations rising ahead of major tournaments including the next WAFCON and the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Nnadozie’s third consecutive CAF Goalkeeper of the Year win not only celebrates her individual brilliance but also highlights the steady progress of women’s football in Nigeria and across the continent.