Falcons goalkeeper Nnadozie tips Neuer to win FIFA award, rues Olympics miss

SUPER Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is backing Germany and Bayern Munich star to be named the Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year at The Best FIFA Awards.

Neuer is one of a number of Bayern Munich stars shortlisted for the awards after the German club’s UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and DFB Pokal treble in 2020.

When she was asked to predict her winners for the men’s and women’s goalkeeper awards, she admitted to being a fan of Neuer.

“For the men’s award, I’m a huge fan of Manuel Neuer, so he’s my favourite,” Nnadozie told FIFA.com.

“For the women, in my opinion it comes down to a duel between Sarah Bouhaddi and Alyssa Naeher. I don’t have a preference, but for me those two are the best women’s goalkeepers in the world.”

With Nigeria set to finish 2020 as the top African team in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, in 38th place globally, Nnadozie is aware that being at the top is difficult, especially after she and her teammates failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

“It’s difficult to get to the top, but it’s just as complicated to stay there,” the 19-year-old added.

“You become the team to beat, the one everybody wants to knock off the throne. For us, we owe it to ourselves to stay at the top. That means never taking our dominant position for granted, and obviously never stopping working hard.”

The Super Falcons reached the round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in 2019, but failed to qualify for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament at Tokyo 2020 after falling to lower ranked Cote d’Ivoire.

“It happens,” Nnadozie said ruefully. “We know that the level of competition keeps getting tougher, but we won’t let up.”

She then shares her journey to the World Cup and explains how she has coped with the pressure of top-level football at such a young age.

“I’d be lying to you if I said there’s no pressure,” she added.

“I have a lot of it, but I’ve learned how to deal with it. The key is to stay calm and keep your composure. You need to keep a cool head whatever happens and never panic. Staying calm allows you to get out of any situation.

“That was something that meant a lot to me (being named in the World Cup squad in 2019). Before that, I didn’t even think I’d make it into the squad of 23 players. So, to take part in that World Cup, to play and then to keep a clean sheet… it was one dream coming true after another. It looks great on a CV! And it gives me encouragement. It makes me want to go even further.

“The teenager made the move to French side Paris FC this year and admitted her time there has been mixed.

“It (the French top flight) is a tough, competitive championship that’s undoubtedly one of the best in the world,” she said.

“Paris is extraordinary. Of course, I’ve explored its streets, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe. I’m very happy to be living here.

“It’s very difficult (being away from her family), but that’s just part of my job. I have to concentrate on my future.”