Nigerian coach Justine Madugu has been nominated for the Women’s Team Coach of the Year Award at the Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Nigerian coach ever shortlisted for a Ballon d’Or award.
The 61-year-old guided the Super Falcons to a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title last month, beating the hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final.
He was subsequently named WAFCON Coach of the Tournament, with the Super Falcons winning their record 10th crown.
Madugu, who hails from Numan, Adamawa State, has now received a world recognition and it is history in the making.
The other nominees for the 2025 Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy are Sarina Wiegman (England), Sonia Bompastor (France), Arthur Elias (Brazil), and Renée Slegers (Netherlands).
