In a glittering ceremony held at the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) in Rabat, Morocco, Nigeria’s Super Falcons and Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper Chiamaka Nnadozie was crowned the 2025 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for an unprecedented third year in a row. The 24-year-old has now firmly etched her name among Africa’s all-time greats, joining an elite club of players who have dominated their position with such consistency at the continental level.
The announcement, made during the annual CAF Awards gala, was met with thunderous applause as Nnadozie gracefully accepted the prestigious trophy. She saw off stiff competition from Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi, who enjoyed a stellar year between the posts for both club and country, and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini, the experienced Banyana Banyana custodian who has long been a mainstay in African women’s football. Yet, when the votes were tallied, it was clear that Nnadozie’s extraordinary 2024–2025 season had left no room for debate—she was the overwhelming favourite.
Born on December 6, 2000, in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria, Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie has risen meteorically from humble beginnings to become the undisputed queen of African goalkeeping. Her journey is one of relentless dedication, technical brilliance, and an almost supernatural ability to produce match-defining saves when the pressure is at its peak. Winning this award for the third consecutive time—having previously claimed it in 2023 and 2024—places her in rare company and underscores a level of dominance rarely seen in the women’s game on the continent.
The past twelve months have arguably been the most successful of Nnadozie’s young career. At club level, she played a pivotal role in Paris FC’s triumphant Coupe de France Féminine campaign, where her heroics in goal helped the Parisian outfit lift the trophy for the first time in the club’s history. Her commanding presence, lightning reflexes, and ability to organise a defensive line turned her into the backbone of the team. But it was on the international stage where she truly shone brightest.
Representing Nigeria at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Nnadozie delivered a masterclass in goalkeeping. The Super Falcons, already the most successful team in the tournament’s history, extended their record to an incredible tenth title, and Nnadozie was instrumental in that success. Across the competition, she recorded an astonishing four clean sheets, conceding minimally while making a series of breath-taking saves that left opponents frustrated and fans in awe. Her performances earned her the coveted WAFCON Golden Glove as the tournament’s best goalkeeper—an award that served as a precursor to her latest continental triumph.
Following the WAFCON heroics, Nnadozie made a high-profile move to the English Women’s Super League, signing with Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer transfer window. The step up to one of Europe’s top leagues represented a significant challenge, but the Nigerian international took it in her stride. On her WSL debut against Everton, she produced a string of world-class saves to secure a clean sheet and was rightfully named Player of the Match. That performance was no flash in the pan. In September 2025, one of her acrobatic stops was voted the Barclays WSL Save of the Month, while her overall impact saw supporters vote her the PFA Bristol Street Motors Fans’ Player of the Month. For a goalkeeper to sweep such individual accolades in her very first month in a new league speaks volumes about her quality and adaptability.
Nnadozie’s success is not merely about athletic prowess; it is also a testament to her mental fortitude. Time and again, she has spoken about the importance of preparation, studying opponents, and maintaining composure under pressure. Her distribution from the back has modernised Nigeria’s build-up play, while her leadership qualities—despite her tender age—have made her a dressing-room favourite and a role model for aspiring female footballers across Africa.
This third successive CAF award places her alongside legends such as Nigeria’s Perpetual Nkwocha and South Africa’s Janine van Wyk as multiple winners in their respective categories, but Nnadozie’s streak at such a young age hints at even greater achievements to come. At just 24, she already boasts an African Women’s Cup of Nations title, a French cup winner’s medal, and now three consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honours. With the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the horizon and Brighton pushing for a higher finish in the WSL, the football world is eagerly watching to see how far this phenomenal talent can go.
For Nigerian football, Nnadozie’s triumph is a source of immense national pride. In a period when the men’s national team has faced challenges, the Super Falcons continue to fly the country’s flag highest on the continental and global stage. Her success also shines a spotlight on the growing professionalism and investment in women’s football across Africa, with young girls in villages and cities alike now dreaming of emulating “Chiamaka the Cat.”
As she stood on the stage in Rabat clutching her latest golden glove trophy, Chiamaka Nnadozie smiled humbly and thanked her family, teammates, coaches, and fans. Yet behind that smile lies the fierce determination of a goalkeeper who knows she is only getting started. Three in a row is remarkable—but for Africa’s undisputed number one, the best is surely yet to come.
