The Ballon d’Or 2025 nomination list, officially released on Thursday, includes only two Nigerians across all award categories, shining a spotlight on Nigerian excellence in women’s football. Super Falcons’ Chiamaka Nnadozie Nominated for Yachine Trophy Among the standout names is Chiamaka Nnadozie, the talented goalkeeper of the Super Falcons, who has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy. This nomination follows her recent transfer from Paris FC in the French Division 1 Féminine to Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Women’s Super League, marking a significant step in her club career. At just 24 years old, Nnadozie has rapidly ascended as one of the most formidable goalkeepers in women’s football. She will be contending for the Yachine Trophy alongside a competitive lineup including: This recognition underscores Nnadozie’s consistency, leadership, and remarkable saves that have earned her international acclaim. Justine Madugu Makes History as Only Male Coach on Shortlist Also nominated is Justine Madugu, the head coach of the Nigerian women’s national team, who led the Super Falcons to a record-setting 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title just last month. His exceptional leadership and tactical brilliance have earned him a nomination in the Women’s Team Coach of the Year category. Notably, Madugu is the only male coach on this year’s shortlist, which includes some of the most influential names in women’s football coaching, such as: His inclusion highlights the impressive strides Nigerian coaching staff are making on the global stage, particularly in advancing African women’s football. Ademola Lookman: Nigeria’s Sole Representative Across All Ballon d’Or Categories Meanwhile, in the men’s football category, Ademola Lookman remains the only Nigerian footballer nominated across all Ballon d’Or categories. The Atalanta forward, who plays in Italy’s Serie A, continues to make waves with his stellar performances and critical goals that helped secure a European title for his club. Despite Nigeria being a football-loving nation with immense talent, the limited representation at the Ballon d’Or 2025 spotlights the challenges and opportunities in nurturing more internationally recognized players
Super Falcons’ captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, has shared her thoughts on Nigeria’s intense and hard-fought win over the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Under the guidance of coach Justine Madugu, the Nigerian women’s national team secured a spot in the WAFCON 2024 final after defeating South Africa 2-1 on Tuesday night. The high-stakes semi-final clash took place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, delivering edge-of-the-seat moments from start to finish. Ajibade’s Impactful Performance The dynamic forward, Rasheedat Ajibade, made a significant impact during the match, scoring the opener for the Super Falcons through a penalty kick late in the first half. Her effort gave Nigeria the crucial lead and momentum going into halftime. The 25-year-old’s stellar performance earned her the Woman of the Match award — marking her third such recognition at the ongoing tournament. Ajibade’s leadership on the field and consistency throughout the competition continue to shine as a beacon of inspiration for both teammates and fans. End of South Africa’s Unbeaten Streak The Super Falcons’ victory also marked the end of South Africa’s remarkable 15-match unbeaten run in the WAFCON finals, underscoring the intensity and quality of Nigeria’s performance. The rivalry between the two sides has intensified in recent years, making this win even more meaningful. Ajibade Reflects on the Challenge Speaking to reporters post-match, Ajibade acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter. “We knew it was going to be a difficult game because every game in this tournament has been tough. We know South Africa quite well; they are a very good side,” she said. Ajibade highlighted the teams’ past encounters in Olympic qualifiers, previous WAFCON tournaments, and other international competitions as factors that added to the match’s competitive nature. “We have played each other in different competitions, Olympics qualifiers, WAFCON, but we were ready for whatever is going to come our way,” she added confidently. Nigeria vs Morocco: Final Showdown With the semi-final win secured, Nigeria will now face host nation Morocco in the grand finale scheduled for Saturday in Rabat. The Atlas Lionesses clinched their final spot after defeating Ghana 4-2 on penalties in the second semi-final clash, which concluded 1-1 after 120 minutes of intense play. The WAFCON 2024 final promises to be a thrilling contest between two top African women’s football sides, with Nigeria aiming to lift the trophy once again and Morocco hoping to make history on home soil.
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Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have touched down in Portugal to prepare for a warm-up match ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), according to LMSINT MEDIA. A total of ten players, along with technical and support staff, arrived in Lisbon on Sunday night for the scheduled international friendly. Omorinsola Babajide, the former forward of Spanish club Atletico Madrid, was among those who joined the squad upon their arrival in Lisbon. An additional 13 players are expected to join the Nigerian delegation in Portugal shortly. The much-anticipated fixture will take place tonight at the Estádio José Gomes, situated in the Amadora district of Lisbon. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM Nigerian time, which is equivalent to local Portuguese time. Following this game, the Super Falcons are also set to take on their West African rivals, Ghana’s Black Queens, in another friendly match scheduled for Friday.
