Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is making waves in England after climbing to the top of the Women’s Super League (WSL) saves chart and earning a nomination for the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month award for September.
The Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper, who joined the English side from Paris FC in the summer, has been a standout performer in her debut season, recording 22 saves in five matches — the highest in the league so far. She narrowly edges Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig (21 saves) and London City Lionesses’ Elene Lete (19 saves).
Nnadozie has also kept two clean sheets, ranking among the most consistent goalkeepers in the division. Only Tottenham’s Lize Kop and Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce have managed more, with three each.
Her performances have been crucial to Brighton’s impressive start to the campaign, with the Seagulls currently sitting sixth on the table.
The Nigerian star’s heroics have earned her a place among the nominees for the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month award alongside Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester United’s Melvine Malard, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw, and Tottenham’s Cathinka Tandberg.
In September, Nnadozie’s brilliance helped Brighton secure seven points from four league matches, including a clean sheet on her debut against Aston Villa and several key saves in the draw against Manchester City.
Although Brighton fell 1-0 to Tottenham last weekend, the 24-year-old pulled off six crucial saves, denying Tandberg, Bethany England, Eveliina Summanen, and Toko Koga to keep her side in contention.
Nnadozie’s nomination adds to a remarkable year in her career — one that saw her win the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, claim the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award, and become the first African goalkeeper nominated for the Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or. She finished fourth overall in that category.
Despite her on-field success, the Nigerian star admitted that adapting to life in England has been emotionally challenging. In a recent Nike x VERSUS “Nothing Off the Table” feature, she revealed,
“It has not really been easy because people just see you come out on the field to play; they don’t know the struggles behind. Since I moved to Brighton, every day I cry because I feel lonely. I miss my family, my teammates, and coaches.”
She credited Brighton’s coaching staff and teammates for helping her adjust, describing the team’s unity and support as vital to her adaptation.
Brighton manager Dario Vidosic praised Nnadozie’s professionalism and her recent global recognition: “We are all really proud of her. It’s a fantastic achievement to be recognised for one of the most prestigious awards in the footballing world.”
As Nnadozie continues to impress in England, her performances further cement her reputation as Africa’s number one goalkeeper and one of the brightest stars in women’s football today.
