…Team Ranked 36th in Latest FIFA Women’s Ranking
Super Falcons Head Coach, Justine Madugu, and first-choice goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, have been nominated for individual honours in the 2025 Ballon d’Or Awards, following their outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s triumph at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Madugu, who assumed leadership of the Super Falcons in late 2023, has been nominated for the prestigious Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy, awarded to the best women’s team coach of the year. His nomination was officially announced on Thursday.
The Nigerian tactician led the Super Falcons to a flawless campaign in Morocco, where they emerged champions of Africa for a record-extending 10th time. Under his watch, the team remained unbeaten throughout the competition, conceded only once, and defeated three former champions en route to the final.
In the final encounter against host nation Morocco, Madugu’s tactical brilliance came to the fore as Nigeria came from two goals down to secure a 3–2 victory. The performance has been widely hailed as one of the most dramatic comebacks in the tournament’s history.
Madugu will contest the award alongside Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea), Arthur Elias (Brazil), Renée Slegers (Arsenal), and Sarina Wiegman (England).
In a similar development, Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, was also named among the five nominees for the 2025 Women’s Yachine Trophy, which recognises the best goalkeeper in women’s football.
Nnadozie, who recently joined Brighton & Hove Albion Women, earned the nomination following her impressive outings for both club and country. She was instrumental in Paris FC’s triumph in the Coupe de France, making two crucial saves during a tense penalty shootout against Paris Saint-Germain. The victory marked the club’s first major silverware in two decades.
At the international level, the 24-year-old was a key figure in Nigeria’s WAFCON success, recording four clean sheets and being named the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper. She was also included in the Team of the Tournament.
Other nominees for the Yachine Trophy include Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Cata Coll (Spain), Hannah Hampton (England), and Daphne van Domselaar (Netherlands). The winners of both categories will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled to be held later this year.
Meanwhile, despite their continental dominance, the Super Falcons have remained unmoved in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking released on Thursday, 7th August, retaining the 36th position globally.
The ranking, which came after Nigeria’s successful WAFCON campaign, shows that the Super Falcons have yet to translate their African dominance into significant global advancement.
Nigeria’s total points stand at 1630.83 — insufficient to move them into the top 30 or to match their best-ever ranking of 25th, achieved over two decades ago.
Nigeria remains the highest-ranked African women’s team, ahead of South Africa (54th), Morocco (64th), and Zambia (65th). However, analysts have noted that the gap is gradually closing, with other African nations making notable progress in international competitions.
On the global stage, the August update saw Spain reclaim the number one spot following their triumph at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, displacing the United States. France climbed to sixth position, while Brazil, despite retaining the South American title, dropped to seventh. Bangladesh recorded the biggest leap, moving 24 places up to 104th following a historic run in the AFC Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s global ranking has fluctuated in recent years, peaking at 32nd in 2023 and dropping as low as 45th in 2022.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking is scheduled for release on 11th December, 2025.
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