The Faded Star That Made Me Cry
The Faded Star That Made Me Cry
By Kunle Awosiyan
I don’t like failure. I detest it. And whenever I see someone falling from the throne of grace, it affects me personally.
I could not hold back my tears watching our once-great shot-stopper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, struggle between the sticks.
The goalkeeper who once inspired confidence and fear in opposing attackers suddenly looked like a shadow of herself as the Super Falcons crashed out of the WAFCON and World Cup.
Nnadozie conceded six goals during the tournament and could not rescue Nigeria in the playoff against South Africa. She conceded two more goals, taking her tally to eight in the tournament and playoff.
For a goalkeeper who had established herself as one of Africa’s finest and one of the best in the world, it was painful to watch.
Only a few years ago, Nnadozie was the woman Nigeria could rely on when everything else failed. She single-handedly kept the Super Falcons alive in several competitions, pulling off breathtaking saves, stopping penalties and denying goal-bound efforts.
She was not merely a goalkeeper; she was a safety net for an entire nation.
But something has changed. Her confidence appears to have deserted her.
Her reactions are no longer as sharp, and the assurance that once defined her game seems to be fading. It saddens me because I know what she is capable of.
I will not blame Nnadozie alone. In football, even the greatest players lose form. But I blame the coaching set-up for failing to recognise when a player’s form is dipping and make the necessary adjustments.
A coach’s job is not simply to trust a player’s reputation. It is to recognise what is happening on the pitch.
Perhaps Nnadozie needed a break. Perhaps she needed competition for her position. Perhaps the coach needed to protect her from the pressure rather than repeatedly putting her in a situation where every mistake became more costly.
Whatever the reason, watching her struggle has been heartbreaking.
Chiamaka, you remain a star.
A star may fade, but it does not cease to be a star.
I pray you find your confidence again, rediscover that magic between the sticks and return stronger. Nigerian football needs the Chiamaka Nnadozie we once knew, the fearless goalkeeper who made impossible saves look ordinary.
Shine again, Chiamaka. We have not forgotten the star you are.
