Nnadozie eyes Olympics glory with Falcons

Either side have solid an intense rivalry over time and are seen because the toast of Africa following successes on the continent, however it’s been the South Africans who’ve gained current battles.

Banyana beat Nigeria of their final two conferences, the 2022 Girls’s Afcon in Morocco and 2021 Aisha Buhari Cup in their very own yard, tournaments that Banyana went on to win.

For Nnadozie, qualifying for the Olympic Video games in France are of very specific significance.

“I learn so many issues concerning the Olympics. We didn’t handle to qualify in 2020, I felt unhealthy at first, then I stated to myself ‘Come on, you may have time forward of you’ and that’s it, one other nice alternative to qualify,” she stated.

“I wish to know what it feels wish to take part within the Olympic Video games.”

Since 2020, the Nigerian goalkeeper has lived within the Metropolis of Lights for 4 years, the place she performs for topflight membership Paris FC. Having fallen in love with this metropolis, Nnadozie desires to take part within the Olympic Video games which is able to happen in her second dwelling.

France holds additional significance to Nnadozie asides being the house of her membership facet because it was in France that the shot-stopper burst onto the worldwide scene on June 17, 2019. It was on that day, that the Tremendous Falcons travelled to Rennes, within the west of France the place she made her debut thanks to teach Thomas Dennerby.

The Olu native held her personal towards the Bleues earlier than the unlucky 79th minute penalty she conceded. The Nigerians misplaced by the narrowest of margins, nevertheless Nnadozie laid the right basis for a stellar profession and has since constructed a status as a penalty saver.

Nnadozie arrived in Paris in February 2020 and hardly had time to settle in as she hit the bottom operating and was nominated twice within the class of finest goalkeeper of the UNFP (prize rewarding gamers taking part in within the French championship).

“She is among the finest goalkeepers of her technology” stated Sandrine Soubeyrand, her coach at Paris FC.

Few years later, Nigerian goalkeeper was awarded the Greatest Girls’s Goalkeeper in Africa on the CAF Awards in 2023.

Buoyed by this award and her efficiency on the final FIFA Girls’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, the place she led Nigeria to the spherical of 16 with the captain’s armband, Nnadozie is keen to guide her facet to the Olympics.

To do that, Nnadozie and Nigeria must overcome reigning African champions South Africa over a two-legged fixture on April 5 and 9.

Nigeria’s final Olympics participation dates again to 2008 the place the Tremendous Falcons shot stopper was Toby Oluechi.

“I like how she (Oluechi) talks to us about it, the recommendation she offers us and the way a lot she insists telling us that it is very important qualify for the Video games. It’s an incredible match, in response to her. Via all her tales, I wish to qualify much more.” Nnadozie added.