Only two Nigerians were included in the Ballon d’Or 2025 nomination shortlists published on Thursday.
They are the Super Falcons duo of goalkeeper Nnadozie Chiamaka and coach Justine Madugu.
Chiamaka, who recently secured a move from Paris FC to Brighton, has been nominated for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy.
She played 31 games, kept 17 clean sheets, emerged winner of Coupe de France, secured League playoff qualification with Paris FC and won the 2024 WAFCON with Nigeria.
Her outstanding performance led her to emerge winner of the WAFCON Golden Glove.
Nnadozie, who is also the reigning Africa Goalkeeper of the Year (retaining the title she won in 2023), was selected as the Best Goalkeeper of the 13th Women’s AFCON, and has had a fabulous past three years at club level in Europe.
The 24-year-old will battle Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton, and Daphne van Domselaar for the award.
Madugu, who led the team to a record-extending 10th Women’s African Cup of Nations last month, makes the cut for Women’s Team Coach of the Year.
He is the only man in the shortlist, as will be up against Renée Slegers, Sarina Wiegman, Sonia Bompastor and Arthur Elias.
Ademola Lookman, who plays for Atalanta in Serie A, was the only Nigerian to be nominated across all categories.
