Nnadozie named MVP, keeps clean sheet on WSL debut
Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie began life for her new club Brighton and Hove Albion in brilliant fashion, as she kept a clean sheet and scooped the player of the match award, following her team’s goalless draw in their 2025/26 Women’s Super League opener against visiting Aston Villa on Sunday.
The 24-year-old, who joined Brighton during the summer transfer window following her departure from French side Paris FC, made her debut in goal for coach Dario Vidosic’s side as matchday one of the new WSL campaign kicked off.Nnadozie had a busy afternoon, but she came up big in the home fixture, as she produced four saves to deny the Villans and ensure her goal was not breached as Brighton earned a share of the spoils. She also made 46 touches throughout the entire 90 minutes of the fixture, which saw her pick up the Player of the Match accolade in her very first official outing in the English women’s top-flight division.In all, the fixture between both sides was tightly contested, with either team creating limited clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.Coach Vidosic shared his post-match thoughts after the barren draw, “We knew there would probably be that moment for Villa in transition. I thought we dealt with it very well. We know how dangerous they are. They got two of the fastest players standing up top, ready to hit you in behind. But I thought we dealt with their transitions really well.
I was proud of the second-half performance. I think both teams were trying to find their feet in that first half, calm the game down. And then once we did, then we looked quite good in good patches in that second half.
”As Brighton looks to build on from the opening day stalemate, the reigning CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year winner will be expected to contribute meaningfully as the Seagulls chase their objectives for the new season.
