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Again, it’s the hand of Chi!

In the realm of football, specific moments become etched into the collective memory of both fans and players, creating enduring stories that celebrate skill, resilience, and the beauty of the game.

One such moment unfolded during the conclusion of the UEFA Women’s Champions League playoff when Nigerian Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie once again made a crucial penalty save to propel Paris FC to their first-ever appearance in the group stage of the competition.

On Wednesday, Nnnadozie helped Paris FC make history by guiding them to the group stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League for the first time with an outstanding performance, resulting in a 2-0 victory over last season’s runners-up, Wolfsburg.

The highlight of the game was Nnadozie’s heroic performance, as she saved another penalty, a feat she has become accustomed to in recent times.

With Paris FC leading 1-0 in the second leg match in Germany, Nnadozie saved a penalty in the 61st minute, preserving her side’s lead. The French club ultimately won 5-3 on aggregate, following a 3-3 draw in the reverse fixture in France.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper denied Dominique Janssen from the spot, ensuring the French side’s victory.

As former Tottenham Hotspur player Ryan Mason once said, “What separates the good players from the greats people remember is consistency.”

Nnadozie’s penalty save against the Germans was not just a singular moment in a single match but emblematic of her journey and the resilience of the Super Falcons’ superstar.

Last month, in the first round of the playoffs, Nnadozie impressively stopped two penalty kicks in a shootout win against Arsenal.

Nnadozie and her Paris FC teammates are now set to face Chelsea, Real Madrid, and BK Hacken in Group D.

The 22-year-old, who has earned the nickname ‘penalty expert,’ didn’t begin her journey of saving penalty kicks recently. At the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, she saved a penalty against the hosts before the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken, alleging that the Nigerian goalkeeper had moved out of her line. Although she couldn’t save the retaken kick, she received widespread praise for her impressive attempt.

Nnadozie repeated her penalty-saving heroics at this year’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. She saved a penalty by Christine Sinclair in the 50th minute of Nigeria’s goalless draw with Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in their opening group game.

Despite being in a challenging group for Nigeria, Nnadozie’s inspired performances helped the team advance to the round of 16.

Nnadozie has always been adept at saving penalties, and she continues to improve in this regard. Her penalty heroics played a crucial role in helping the Falcons qualify for the last edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where she saved a penalty against Ivory Coast during the decisive match.

With the male Super Eagles’ struggles to find a reliable goalkeeper, some fans have even suggested that the Falcons’ star be considered for the men’s team to help address their goalkeeping issues.

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