Nnadozie goes top as goalkeeper with most saves in England News

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Nnadozie goes top as goalkeeper with most saves in England

By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 7, 2025

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie continues to make headlines in England after climbing to the top of the Women’s Super League saves chart while also earning a nomination for the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of The Month award for September, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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, registering 22 saves in five matches, the highest in the league so far.

She narrowly edges Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig, who has 21 saves, and London City Lionesses’ Elene Lete, who has 19.

According to league statistics, Nnadozie has also kept two clean sheets, making her one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the division.

Only Tottenham’s Lize Kop and Manchester United’s Phallon Tullis-Joyce have recorded more, with three each.

Her performances have been instrumental in Brighton’s solid start to the season, with the Seagulls currently sitting sixth on the WSL table.

They will next travel to the Chigwell Construction Stadium to face bottom-placed West Ham United in the Women’s League Cup on Wednesday before visiting European champions Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Nigeria international’s impact has not gone unnoticed. She has been shortlisted for the PFA WSL Fans’ Player of the Month award, joining an elite list of nominees including Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones, Manchester United’s Melvine Malard, Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, Manchester City’s Bunny Shaw, and Tottenham’s Cathinka Tandberg.

Nnadozie’s performances throughout September were particularly impressive, helping Brighton earn seven points from their opening four league fixtures, including a clean sheet on her debut against Aston Villa and a string of outstanding saves in the draw against Man City.

Across those matches, she made 16 crucial saves that highlighted her sharp reflexes, composure, and command of the penalty area.

Her six additional saves came against Spurs on Sunday, where she denied Cathinka Tandberg, Bethany England, Eveliina Summanen, and Toko Koga on multiple occasions but could do nothing to prevent Tandberg’s first-half strike as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.

This nomination cements her reputation as one of the world’s most promising goalkeepers. The 24-year-old enjoyed a remarkable 2025, winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, where she was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and earning global recognition as the first African goalkeeper nominated for the Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

She eventually finished fourth in the category, marking another milestone in African women’s football.

Despite her early success in England, Nnadozie has admitted to facing emotional challenges since her move to Brighton. Speaking in Nike and VERSUS’ Nothing Off the Table film, she revealed that the transition has not been easy.

“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,” she said.

“Since I moved to Brighton, every day I cry because I feel lonely. I miss my family, my teammates and coaches. They always try to check up on me to make sure I’m okay.”

She credited the Brighton coaching staff and players for their support in helping her adjust to life in England, adding that the team’s unity and camaraderie have been vital to her adaptation.

“I think the most important thing is having people who really care about you. That has helped me a lot, and going to the pre-season with the team also helped me. The unity, everything I saw in the team was really good,” she added.

Brighton manager Dario Vidosic praised Nnadozie for her professionalism and leadership on and off the pitch, describing her Ballon d’Or recognition as “a fantastic achievement for the club and for women’s football”.

“As a club, squad, and everyone affiliated with the women’s programme at Brighton, 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,” Vidosic said.

Nnadozie’s rise in England is coming just months after helping Nigeria lift a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, where she played a pivotal role from the backline.

As she continues to shine for Brighton, her world-class talent continues to redefine what it means to be Africa’s number one between the posts.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 7, 2025