Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, made a standout debut for Brighton & Hove Albion, keeping a clean sheet in their 0–0 WSL draw against Aston Villa on Sunday, www.aclsports.com reports.
Nnadozie, who joined Brighton from Paris FC in July and was handed the number 1 jersey, started the match and played the full 90 minutes, making four crucial saves. She also became the first African goalkeeper to start for an English WSL team.
The match saw both teams create scoring opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net. Brighton registered 18 shots, with four on target, while Aston Villa had 12 shots, also with four on target. Villa’s goalkeeper, Sarah D’Angelo, was substituted at halftime after picking up an injury, and her replacement, Ellie Roebuck, maintained the clean sheet. Villa hit the post twice but could not breach Nnadozie’s goal.
Nnadozie’s experience and composure were evident throughout the game, and she is expected to be a key figure for Brighton as they aim to improve on last season’s mid-table finish.
Brighton will next face Manchester City, where Nnadozie’s leadership and shot-stopping abilities will be tested against one of the league’s top sides.
Meanwhile, at Anfield, Super Falcons forward Toni Payne came off the bench in the 80th minute for Everton, replacing Katja Snoeijs, who had given the team a 2-1 lead in their comeback win against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.
New signing Ornella Vignola equalized after Cornelia Kapocs had put Liverpool ahead in the 12th minute. Vignola then scored in the 54th minute and completed her hat trick, netting Everton’s fourth just two minutes later. She became the first Everton player to score a hat trick against Liverpool since Dixie Dean in 1931.
Everton will next host Tottenham, where Toni Payne will be hoping to feature and help the team.
