Key Takeaways
- The Nigeria international says players and supporters feel let down by the last-minute postponement of the continental championship.
- The 25-year-old shot-stopper has claimed the CAF Golden Gloves award for three consecutive years.
- She boosts team morale by playing Afrobeats hits on her portable speaker at training sessions.
Chiamaka Nnadozie has established herself as one of the finest goalkeepers in African football history. At just 25 years of age, the Brighton & Hove Albion keeper has matched the achievements of icons like Thomas N’Kono and Zaki Badou. She remains the only player to win the Confederation of African Football’s Golden Gloves trophy three times running, claiming the honour in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Super Falcons star admits she did not expect this level of success so early in her career. “I feel very surprised,” she says. “I did not know I was the only person to do this. It gives me confidence. People see only the success, not the hard work. I thank my coaches and teammates. We achieved this together.”
Nnadozie recently swapped Paris FC for Brighton in the Women’s Super League. The move brought her from the busy streets of Paris to the quiet Sussex countryside. She chose Brighton because the manager showed real interest in her abilities. “He told me he watches me often and likes my style,” she explains. “He told me their plans and how I fit in. That impressed me.”
The keeper praises the welcoming atmosphere at her new club. Staff members often tell her she can speak openly about any problems. “They say I can express my feelings freely. This is important for me,” she adds.
However, Nnadozie currently feels frustrated about the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament moved from March to July this year, causing chaos for players and fans. “We are not happy,” she states clearly. “We do not know why this happened. We left our clubs ready to play. I know fans are angry. My own family bought tickets and applied for visas. It is frustrating.”
Despite this setback, she stays positive about African women’s football. The competition now includes 16 teams instead of fewer sides. Malawi will compete for the first time, bringing stars like Tabitha and Tenwa Chawinga.
Music plays a big part in Nnadozie’s life. She carries a boombox to training sessions, playing songs by Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy. “If I forget the speaker, my teammates joke they will punish me,” she laughs. “The music gives us energy. It makes me happy. When I am happy, I play better. We lost the old speaker in Morocco but bought a new one.”
Brighton currently sit sixth in the Women’s Super League table. They recently defeated league leaders Manchester City 3-2 at home. Nnadozie believes the team can improve further. “We must work harder, but we will improve. I trust every player in this squad,” she says.