Chiamaka Nnadozie enjoyed a dream start to life at Brighton & Hove Albion as she was crowned Player of the Match in her debut outing, delivering a commanding performance between the posts.
The Nigerian international, who joined Brighton this summer after an impressive stint with Paris FC, showcased the qualities that have made her one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in women’s football.
Nnadozie pulled off a string of crucial saves to keep her side in the contest, displaying sharp reflexes, composure under pressure, and excellent distribution.
Her standout moment came midway through the second half when she produced a world-class stop to deny what looked like a certain goal, drawing loud applause from the Brighton supporters. That save, combined with her confident command of the penalty area, earned her the Player of the Match award on her very first appearance.
Brighton announced in a statement posted on their X handle on Monday that Nnadozie made her debut as the club and Aston Villa played out a goalless draw in the English women’s top division over the weekend.
“First appearance, first @British_Airways Player of the Match award! Congrats, Chiamaka!
Speaking after the match, Nnadozie expressed her delight: “It feels amazing to start my Brighton journey this way. The team has been very supportive, and I just wanted to give my best for them. This is just the beginning, and I’m ready to keep working hard to help the club achieve its goals.”
