Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie have earned prestigious nominations for the 2025 Ballon d’Or in the Johan Cruyff Trophy and Yachine Trophy categories, respectively.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy is awarded to the best women’s football coach globally, while the Yachine Trophy recognizes the top-performing female goalkeeper in world football.
Madugu’s nomination follows his remarkable success at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where he guided the Nigerian women’s national team to their 10th continental championship. In the dramatic final held in July in Rabat, Morocco, the Super Falcons came from two goals down to secure a thrilling 3–2 victory over the host nation, Morocco.
Throughout the tournament, Nigeria remained unbeaten, recording five wins and one draw. The team scored 14 goals and conceded only three, with a defensive record that highlighted both strategic discipline and attacking prowess.
Madugu is joined on the list of nominees by several elite coaches in women’s football, including:
- Arthur Elias – Head Coach, Brazil Women’s National Team
- Renee Slegers – Head Coach, Arsenal Women
- Sarina Wiegman – Head Coach, England Women’s National Team
- Sonia Bompastor – Head Coach, Chelsea FC Women
In the goalkeeping category, Chiamaka Nnadozie was also a key figure in Nigeria’s title-winning campaign at WAFCON 2024. Her commanding performances between the posts earned her the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade and a spot in the official Team of the Tournament.
Other contenders for the Yachine Trophy include:
- Ann-Katrin Berger (Gotham FC)
- Cata Coll (Barcelona Femeni)
- Hannah Hampton (Chelsea Women)
- Daphne van Domselaar (Arsenal Women)
The nominations mark a significant moment for Nigerian women’s football, highlighting the impact of both leadership and talent on the international stage.