Nnadozie inspires youths with Olympic story

Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnnadozie has advised youth not to give up on their dreams, recounting her story of growing up in Akwakuma, Owerri, and Imo State to becoming an Olympian, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 23-year-old kept goal for the team at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but counting her blessings for gracing the multi-sport event despite the team losing all three group matches, scoring one and conceding five goals in the Women’s Football Tournament.

She shared her excitement in a statement on Instagram on Saturday, urging the younger ones not to think anything is impossible.

“A girl from Orlu who grew up in the street of Aakwakuma, Owerri became an Olympian. Boys, girls from the street, ghetto, listen, nothing is impossible. I give god all the glory,” wrote the Paris FC shotstopper.

Nnadozie began her football career in 2016 with Rivers Angels, where she played until 2020, when she joined Paris FC.

In eight years, the goalkeeper, who started out as an outfield player, has a string of top awards and trophies to show for her effort, including being named CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year (2024), one Nigeria Women’s Football League (2016), three women’s Federation Cups with Rivers Angels (2016, 2017, 2018), one Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (2018), and African Games gold (2019).

Her individual awards include CAF Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) 2023, D1 Arkema Goalkeeper of the Season 2023/24, IFFHS Africa’s Best Woman Goalkeeper 2019, African Women’s Footballer of the Year 2019 (nominee), NFF Awards Young Player of the Year 2018, and EaglesTracker Goalkeeper of the Season 2022, 2023, 2024.

Nnadozie represented Nigeria at U17 and U20 levels before she graduated to the senior team, making 22 appearances since 2018.