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Nnadozie Sets Sight On Olympic Success With Falcons
- Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is determined to secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
- She has played in France for four years, and sees participating in the Olympics as a special milestone.
- Nnadozie is motivated and is eager to lead Nigeria to Olympic success.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is eager to secure qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as Nigeria prepares for their crucial final qualifying match against familiar rivals, South Africa.
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Both teams have developed a fierce rivalry over the years and are considered Africa’s top contenders following their successes on the continent.
However, South Africa has emerged victorious in recent encounters.
Banyana defeated Nigeria in their last two clashes: the 2022 Women’s Afcon in Morocco and the 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup on home turf, both tournaments which Banyana eventually won.
For Nnadozie, qualifying for the Olympic Games in France are of very particular importance.
“I read so many things about the Olympics. We didn’t manage to qualify in 2020, I felt bad at first, then I said to myself ‘Come on, you have time ahead of you’ and that’s it, another great opportunity to qualify,” she said.
“I want to know what it feels like to participate in the Olympic Games.”
Since 2020, the Nigerian goalkeeper has lived in the City of Lights for four years, where she plays for topflight club Paris FC.Having fallen in love with this city, Nnadozie wants to participate in the Olympic Games which will take place in her second home.
Apart from being the home of her club side, France holds additional significance for Nnadozie. It was in France, on June 17, 2019, that the shot-stopper burst onto the international scene.
On that day, the Super Falcons traveled to Rennes in the west of France, where she made her debut under the guidance of coach Thomas Dennerby.
The Olu native showcased her talent against the Bleues until the unfortunate 79th-minute penalty she conceded.
Despite Nigeria’s narrow loss, Nnadozie laid a solid foundation for her career and has since gained recognition as a penalty-saving expert.
“She is one of the best goalkeepers of her generation” said Sandrine Soubeyrand, her coach at Paris FC.
Few years later, Nigerian goalkeeper was awarded the Best Women’s Goalkeeper in Africa at the CAF Awards in 2023.
Nnadozie buoyed by this award and her performance at the last FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, where she led Nigeria to the round of 16 with the captain’s armband, Nnadozie is eager to lead her side to the Olympics.
To do this, Nnadozie and Nigeria will have to overcome reigning African champions South Africa over a two-legged fixture on April 5 and 9.
Nigeria’s last Olympics participation dates back to 2008 where the Super Falcons shot stopper was Toby Oluechi.
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“I like how she (Oluechi) talks to us about it, the advice she gives us and how much she insists telling us that it is important to qualify for the Games. It’s a great tournament, according to her. Through all her stories, I want to qualify even more.” Nnadozie added.
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