Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and the team’s head coach, Justine Madugu, have been nominated for the Women’s Yachine Trophy award and the Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy at this year’s Ballon d’Or.
Nnadozie’s nomination places her as one of the best women’s goalkeepers in the world, while Madugu is contending for the best women’s coach award.
The keeper’s award is named after former Soviet Union goalkeeper Lev Yashin.
In the nominations released by Ballon d’Or on Thursday, Nnadozie will contend with four other nominees for the award, which will be handed out on September 22 at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, France.
Other nominees are Germany keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, Spain’s Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton of England and Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar.
Nnadozie played a key role in Nigeria’s successful WAFCON campaign, keeping four clean sheets as the Super Falcons clinched a record 10th title. She was named the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper and earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament.
The 24-year-old who just made a move to Brighton was instrumental in Paris FC’s Coupe de France triumph, making two crucial saves in a dramatic penalty shootout win over Paris Saint-Germain, securing the club’s first title in two decades.
Madugu will vie with England’s Sarina Wiegman, Arsenal Women’s Dutch coach Renee Slegers, Chelsea Women’s French coach Sonia Bompastor and Spain’s Athur Elias.
The Super Falcons’ coach also led the team to their 10th WAFCON title in Morocco without tasting defeat and was also named the Best Coach of the Tournament.