By: Akinde S. Oluwaseun

She walked through the tunnel, duffel slung low. Boom—doors swing. A sea of blue and white shirts, plus the odd Nigerian flag, wave like it’s carnival. Applause? Yep, loud. Somebody even tries the talking-drum rhythm; tempo’s messy, hearts in the right place.

Nnadozie should have touched down weeks ago, but Morocco happened. WAFCON, gold medal, Best Goalkeeper plaque—little matter like that. Ten titles for the Super Falcons now; the trophy room in Abuja groans.

Brighton gaffer Dario Vidosic just grins. “First-choice keeper, no drama,” he mumbles, Aussie twang thick. Squad mates give her a mini guard-of-honour. One teammate whispers, “Save us on Sunday, yeah?”—Villa coming to Broadfield, 7 September.

Past stats say Albion finished fifth last term, respectable. With Chiamaka between the sticks, the ceiling moves. The south-coast wind feels calmer already, swear down.