Chiamaka Nnadozie: "We have a very difficult tie coming up against Cameroon"
Chiamaka Nnadozie dreams of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, a city where she has been performing brilliantly for four seasons now.
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In France, behind the untouchable duo of Lyon and PSG, Paris FC have established themselves as the best women's side in the D1 Arkena in recent years. The club from the French capital have forced their way into the top group in the French league and even made their Champions League debut this season, and Chiamaka Nnadozie has played a major part in that. The Nigeria goalkeeper is a real wall between the posts. At 23, she is a benchmark in her position and is being watched by several big English clubs, including Chelsea.
"It would be a disappointment not to play in the Olympics in Paris"
For now, though, the player who joined Paris FC in 2020 is happy in France. And her biggest goal this year is, by her own account, to qualify for the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris, a city where she feels as much at home as in Nigeria. "There are three or four of us in this squad playing in France. Everyone is very happy that the Olympics are being held in France. Even my team-mates at PFC tell me: 'Please, Maka, you have to qualify so that we can come and see you and cheer you on!'" Chiamaka Nnadozie told the FIFA website.
"France is my second home, and I'm delighted that the tournament is taking place there. I really want to be part of it and play in this competition in the country where I live now. Paris is an incredible city, very beautiful, with incredible people. In Paris, I feel at home. Sometimes, when I'm there, I even feel like I'm in Nigeria, I have everything I need there. It would really be a disappointment not to play in the Olympics there," added the Orlu native, who has made 84 appearances for Paris FC.
"I have great faith in my team"
To qualify for the 2024 Olympics, Nigeria must get past Cameroon this week in a two-legged tie in the 3rd and penultimate qualifying round. "We have a very difficult tie coming up against Cameroon. They are a very good side, made up of very good, experienced players. We have to be wary, but I have great faith in my team. We mustn't rest on our recent wins against them. We just have to train harder, work harder and stay together. If we go about it that way, we can beat them, I think", said Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was named best African goalkeeper in 2023 by the Confederation of African Football.
If Nigeria see off Cameroon, the Super Falcons will then face the final obstacle in the 4th qualifying round in April.