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By: Abiodun Adewale
Super Falcons and Paris FC goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has heaped praises on the management of her club as well as her teammates in France after winning the National Union of Professional Footballers award for the best goalkeeper in the French women’s topflight league on Monday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nnadozie emerged as the first African to win the award, beating a strong field that included Olympic Lyon’s Christiane Endler, Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of PSG, FC Fleury’s Chloe N’Gazi and Kinga Szemik of Stade de Reims.
It’s her second end-of-season award in the 2023/24 campaign having been named the best keeper in the French D1 Arkema (women’s league) last month.
The 23-year-old shared photos from the event, posing with her award as well as PSG stars, Kylian Mbappe – who won the men’s award – and Achraf Hakimi.
“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this award,” Nnadozie wrote on X.
“@tropheesunfp thank you for recognising my efforts. Paris FC Feminines, the president, the entire team staff, the fans and my wonderful teammates, your belief in me and my work is a tremendous source of motivation.”
This season, the Nigerian has propelled Paris FC to the semi-finals of the French women’s topflight title playoffs and will hope to seal third place against Reims on Thursday.
Nnadozie’s penalty-saving heroics in particular have cemented her status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
She saved seven penalties this season, the highest by any goalkeeper in Europe.
Since moving to France in 2020, the 23-year-old has established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
She is the leading penalty specialist, boasting the highest number of saves from the spot among elite goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s top European leagues since the start of the 2023/24 season.
Nnadozie boasts two spot-kick saves in the league and five in her club’s sensational run in the Women’s Champions League.