Nnadozie faces City in the WUCL playoff

After an excellent 2023/24 season, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie returns to action as her French club Paris FC begin their Champions League qualifying campaign against Manchester City on Wednesday night, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Parisians will pay the Blues over two legs, with the winner progressing to the group stage of the series. Nnadozie and her teammates qualified for the competition after finishing third in the Division 1 Feminine with 42 points behind champions Lyon and runners-up Paris Saint Germain last season.

Last season, Nnnadozie helped Paris FC make history by guiding them to the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time, delivering an impressive performance to knock out 2022/23 season’s runners-up Wolfsburg on 5-3 on aggregate.

The highpoint of the game was the heroic performance of the Nigerian, who saved a penalty, which has become her stock in trade.

While Paris FC led 1-0 in the second leg in Germany, Nnadozie saved Dominique Janssen’s 61st-minute penalty to keep her team in front and went on to win 5-3 on aggregate. The reverse fixture in France had ended in 3-3.

The 23-year-old had also superbly stopped two spot kicks in the shootout win over English giants Arsenal in the first round of the playoffs before pulling off the save against Wolfsburg.

In the competition proper, the African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year made the difference as the French side defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Stade Robert-Bobin.

Nnadozie has established herself as the leading penalty specialist in Europe and boasted the highest number of saves from the spot among elite goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s top leagues since the 2023/24 season.

Having made history last season, playing in their first Champions League, Nnadozie and her Paris FC teammates are now up against Manchester City as they hope to make their second appearance in the competition count.

They must up the ante from the go against the Blues, who are desperately seeking a reversal of fortunes after suffering disappointments in the 2021 and 2022 editions, having been eliminated by Real Madrid at the qualifying stage on both occasions.

Gareth Taylor’s side have never won the Champions League but have reached the semi-finals, which they last did in 2018.

Having recruited smartly in the summer, with Arsenal legend Vivianne Miedema the club’s marquee signing, the clash with City could be another litmus test for the reliable Nnadozie.

Knowing what lies ahead, England international Lauren Hemp says City are eager and hungry to make a statement during Wednesday’s first-leg tie.

“Paris FC are a great team. We’ve analysed them, and we’re fully prepared. They have knocked out big teams in the past and down well in the Champions League in previous years. We are not taking it lightly and are well prepared. We’re all up for it,” Hemp said.

Nnadozie’s remarkable consistency and composure under pressure make her a vital asset for Paris FC, and they will no doubt be looking up to her once again as they seek their second qualification for the Champions League.