Chiamaka Nnadozie Ranks Fourth in Inaugural Women’s Yashin Trophy as Hannah Hampton Claims Top Honour
Super Falcons’ goalkeeper cements global standing among elite shot-stoppers at Ballon d’Or 2025 amid England’s Hampton’s historic win
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Cynthia Nnadozie has again shown she belongs among the world’s elite female goalkeepers, finishing fourth in the first-ever Women’s Yashin Trophy at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony Monday night, as England’s Hannah Hampton was crowned the inaugural winner.
The ceremony, held at Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris, saw Hampton, 24, rewarded for a stellar 2024/25 campaign in which she helped Chelsea secure an unbeaten domestic treble and played a key role in England retaining the UEFA Women’s Championship.
She kept 13 clean sheets in 22 Women’s Super League matches and saved two penalties in the shootout during England’s victory over Spain in the Euro 2025 final.
Nnadozie, who recently transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion from Paris FC, was among five nominees for the award.
She trailed behind Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger in second place and Spain’s Cata Coll in third, with the Netherlands’ Daphne van Domselaar completing the top five.
At just 24, the Super Falcons’ captain has already built an illustrious resumè. Her recent accolades include being named Africa’s Best Women’s Goalkeeper for two consecutive years at the CAF Awards, and her instrumental role in Nigeria’s 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, where she was honoured as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Her performance in the 2023 Women’s World Cup also brought global attention, particularly for her display in Nigeria’s 3-2 upset over hosts Australia, where she was named Player of the Match.
Nnadozie’s club career has seen steady progress. Before her move to Brighton in mid-2025, she played for Paris FC in the French Division 1 Féminine and featured in multiple UEFA Women’s Champions League fixtures.
Her performances domestically and internationally have earned increasing respect, as her fourth-place finish demonstrates.
For African women’s football, Nnadozie’s recognition in the Women’s Yashin rankings is significant.
It shows that players from the continent can compete and be acknowledged on football’s biggest stages.
She remains motivated to push higher, with many observers believing she has both the talent and the opportunity to one day win the trophy.
Source: Chelsea FC, All Africa
