Nnadozie faces defining moment in historic final News

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Nnadozie faces defining moment in historic final

By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 3, 2025

The 2025 Coupe de France Féminine final promises a historic encounter as Paris FC take on holders Paris Saint-Germain at the Stade de l’Épopée in Calais today (May 3) in the first all-Paris final in the tournament’s history.

For Paris FC, who lifted the trophy once in 2005 under their former identity, FCF Juvisy, this is a long-awaited return to the summit. Their last final appearance was twenty years ago, and since then, the club has endured eight semi-final heartbreaks. But in Chiamaka Nnadozie, they have found not just a reliable last line of defence but a symbol of renewed ambition.

The 24-year-old Super Falcons goalkeeper has once again delivered a stellar season between the sticks which saw her being named in the Arkema Première Ligue Team of the Season for the second consecutive year.

On her road to being indispensable for Paris FC, she recorded 11 clean sheets in 18 league matches, the second-best tally in the division, only behind Lyon’s Christiane Endler, while maintaining an impressive 80.7% save rate. Her shot-stopping prowess and command in the box have seen her concede just 11 goals all season, at a rate of 0.62 goals per 90 minutes.

Nnadozie’s impact in the Coupe de France has been equally vital. Though teammate Ines Marques started the earlier rounds, it was Nnadozie who took the gloves for the business end of the competition, guiding her team past Dijon FCO and Le Havre AC in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively. Against Le Havre, she was tested by Madeline Roth, the only player to breach Paris FC’s defence in the cup this season.

Her presence in Saturday’s final had briefly been in doubt following a serious-looking injury sustained during a 4-0 league victory over Fleury 91, when she had to be stretchered off following a heavy challenge. However, much to the relief of Paris FC and Nigerian fans alike, Nnadozie has returned to full training and is in contention to start in Calais, a major boost to Sandrine Soubeyrand’s girl’s chances of toppling the four-time champions.

After a painful semi-final exit to PSG in last year’s playoff, Nnadozie and her teammate are determined to rewrite the script so the final in Calais offers them the perfect stage to do so and lead Paris FC to their first silverware in two decades since winning the league title in 2005/06.

With nearly 1,000 clubs having taken part in this 24th edition of France’s premier women’s knockout football competition from the regional to federal and now final phase, the road to Calais has been long and arduous.

Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions, are chasing a fifth title and they arrive in Calais with the confidence of a seasoned cup side after having reached their fifth straight final and ninth overall.

They lifted the trophy in 2010, 2018, 2022, and 2024 and are eyeing their first-ever successful title defence while further earning the bragging rights in the capital. Their route to the final has been impressive, dispatching Saint-Étienne 2–1 in the semi-finals after commanding wins in earlier rounds against Croix Blanche Angers, Nantes, and Le Mans.

PSG’s attacking arsenal, which includes the likes of Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore, will provide a stern test for Nnadozie, who must be at her very best to deny a side known for its fluidity and firepower. Paris FC’s defence will rely heavily on their goalkeeper’s ability to organise, inspire, and respond under pressure, especially in a fixture that has already proven to be evenly matched this season.

The Calais battle will not just be a cup final, it is also part three of a fierce derby saga that has been going over the season. The two league fixtures between the sides ended in stalemates, a 1-1 draw at Stade Charléty in December, where Nnadozie’s composure under pressure stood out, and another draw in March.

As the city of Paris leaves the aesthetical sight of Eiffel to shift northward for one afternoon, all eyes will be on the Stade de l’Épopée. And in the heart of it all will stand Nnadozie in goal, Clara Matéo in midfield, and Kessya Bussy on the flank ready to write a new chapter in their club history.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 3, 2025