Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was heroic for Paris FC as they stunned Paris Saint-Germain 5-4 on penalties to win the Coupe de France title.
With scores tied 0-0 at full time inside Stade de l’Epopee in Calais on Saturday, the winner was determined by kicks from the penalty spot.
And it was the Nigeria international who became the hero for her team, having saved penalties from United States international Korbin Albert and French star Jade Le Guilly for a second triumph in the tournament’s history.
Before the shootout, Nnadozie pulled off a series of brilliant saves to deny the reigning champions a successful title defence.
The reigning African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year has been outstanding this season, keeping 12 clean sheets that secured Paris FC a UEFA Women’s Champions League spot and a league playoff berth.
Paris FC no doubt have a weekend to remember after their men’s team returned to the French Ligue after 46 years of absence.
The club was recently acquired by the family of French billionaire Bernard Arnault, who have pledged to elevate it into the elite ranks of French and European football.
Nnadozie, who is expected to join English top-flight side Everton at the end of the season after five years in France, would be hoping to end the season on a high when her side visits Dijon FC on Wednesday.
In fact, her form is a major boost for Nigeria’s senior women’s national team as they aim to reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title when the tournament kicks off in July in Morocco.
The Super Falcons are in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. They finished fourth in the last edition, the country’s worst-ever performance in the tournament’s history.
