Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is on cloud nine after etching her name in the history books, becoming the first African and Nigerian player to be crowned the best goalkeeper in the French D1 Arkema (women’s league).
The 23-year-old shot-stopper’s remarkable achievements this season, including her penalty-saving heroics, cemented her status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Nnadozie beat out stiff competition from Olympic Lyon’s Christiane Endler and Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of Paris SG to claim the coveted prize.
Reacting to her feat on her X handle, the Nigerian international expressed her delight.
“Excited to have won the French D1 Arkema Goalkeeper of the Year”, she wrote.
“A big thanks to everyone who voted for me, and also a special appreciation to my coaches and teammates for all the support and encouragement. To the amazing family and Naija fans, una is too much. God did”.
Nnadozie has established herself as the leading penalty specialist in Europe, boasting the highest number of saves from the spot among elite goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s top leagues since the start of the 2023–24 season.
With a total of seven penalty saves, it is noteworthy that Nndozie is currently the best goalkeeper in Europe as regards penalty saves.
Of the seven saved kicks, she stopped two out of three in the French top flight and five out of eight in the Champions League.
Paris FC currently sits third in the league with 42 points, eight points behind local rivals Paris Saint-Germain and 11 points adrift of the leaders, Lyon.
Nnadozie was also awarded CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023.
