Chiamaka Nnadozie, the celebrated goalkeeper of the Super Falcons, recently opened up about the challenges she faced on her journey to becoming a football star, shedding light on her father’s initial reluctance to embrace her football aspirations.
Nnadozie shot to international fame during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a remarkable penalty save that prevented Nigeria from falling to Olympic Champions, Canada.
However, long before this rise to stardom, the young goalkeeper encountered resistance from her own father regarding her choice of a football career.
Her father, who possessed personal experience in the world of football, raised concerns by pointing out that her cousin had pursued a similar path in the past but did not succeed in making a living from the sport.
Undeterred by these warnings, Nnadozie remained steadfast in her determination to follow her passion.
“Whenever I went to play soccer, he would always tell me, ‘Girls don’t play football. Look at me. I played football, but I didn’t make it. Your brother, he played, [but] he didn’t make [it]. Your cousin played, [but] he didn’t make it.
So why do you want to choose this? Why don’t you want to go to school or maybe do some other things?'” Nnadozie revealed in a recent interview with CNN.
Nnadozie’s journey took a significant turn when she made her World Cup debut in 2019, establishing herself as a formidable shot-stopper on the global stage.
Her role as Nigeria’s starting goalkeeper in the team’s 2-0 victory over Korea made her the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup, affirming her career choice as the right one.
“Initially, I was the second goalkeeper in the team. During the second game, when the coach told me I would be playing, I was very scared because I was still very, very young. I was crying,” Nnadozie admitted, reflecting on her early days as a professional footballer.
Not only has Chiamaka Nnadozie excelled at the national level with the Super Falcons, but she has also made significant contributions at her club, Paris FC. Her recent heroics included saving a crucial penalty as Paris FC defeated Wolfsburg 2-0, securing their place in the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time in a decade.
Chiamaka Nnadozie’s journey is not only a testament to her talent but also a powerful example of determination in the face of adversity, inspiring young aspiring footballers, particularly female ones, to follow their dreams against all odds.
