Justine Madugu, head coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, has been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award for Best Women’s Football Coach.
The announcement was made by France Football Magazine, the organizers of the prestigious awards, via their official X account on Thursday.
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was also shortlisted for the Women’s Yacine Trophy, which honors the world’s best goalkeeper.
Madugu joins a star-studded list that includes Sarina Wiegman (England), Renée Slegers (Arsenal Women), Sonia Bompastor (Chelsea Women), and Arthur Elias, coach of Brazil’s women’s national team.
This nomination follows a historic year for Madugu, who led Nigeria to their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco this July. His outstanding leadership earned him the best coach award at the tournament, marking the first major international trophy in his nearly four-decade coaching career, which began in 1987 and remained Nigeria-based until his appointment as Falcons’ head coach.
In the goalkeeper category, 24-year-old Nnadozie is listed alongside elite players such as Ann-Katrin Berger, Cata Coll, Hannah Hampton, and Daphne van Domselaar. She was named best goalkeeper at the 2025 WAFCON after recording four clean sheets in six matches and is a two-time CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
