Chiamaka Nnadozie is backing Brighton in the Adobe Women's FA Cup Final

Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been a key part of Brighton’s recent form, and she says her team deserve to be here.

How does it feel to be involved in an FA Cup final?

So excited! I can't wait - bring it on. I can't wait to play at Wembley. It's super amazing. This team has been through a lot this season. We've worked hard, we deserve it.

Particularly after the semi-final. You were 2-0 down after 21 minutes - were you thinking the chance had gone?

It was very scary. In the first half I was like, is this how we are going home? After beating Arsenal, after being West Ham, is this how we are going home? That was the question I was asking myself. But when we went back to the dressing room, everyone was screaming: come on girls, we keep going, we are not letting go, we are fighting till the end. Shout out to all the players who stood up in that dressing room and encouraged each other - my spirit lifted. I always had a belief we would get through it.

What did the manager say at half-time?

He was just like, we need to calm down, this wasn't the plan, this is not what we want. Just do what we've been learning in training, because we couldn't get some things right in the first half. He told us: I believe in each and every one of you. I know we are going out there to win this game, and we are coming back here to celebrate.

And then to get the winner in the 96th minute - what was the mood like in the changing room?

Oh my God. Before that free kick, I was like, ‘I don't want to go to penalties’ - not because I'm scared, but because we are winning this game in normal time! We are winning this at the end. It was a big thing for the team, a big thing for Brighton. When I came back that day, someone saw me walking in the street and gave me a hug. That just showed what it meant to the supporters, everyone is so excited to be going to Wembley.

Did you grow up supporting an English club?

When I was growing up, I saw everyone wearing that (Manchester) United shirt - my whole family. But the team I supported was Lyon, because I used to watch their women's team a lot. I played against them in France, which was amazing and actually I could have signed for them but chose to come to Brighton instead. That’s a decision I’ve never regretted.

How did you end up as a goalkeeper?

I wasn't a goalkeeper from the beginning - I was an outfield player. I started goalkeeping in 2012. One day our goalkeeper got injured and she was the only keeper who came for the game. I said I could help. The coach said, have you ever been in goal before? I said yes — in the village, playing with my brothers and cousins. When the tackles got rough I would just go in goal. And that was how it started. Before I knew it I was in the under-17 national team - after that, it was too late to go back.

What's your message to the Brighton fans making the trip to Wembley?

Big thank you to them, because they have been with us from day one. Even when we travel far away to play, they are there before us — as soon as we step off the bus, they are screaming. So I would say: thank you, keep supporting, keep praying for us. And hopefully we will make you proud on Sunday.

You can read the full interview in the official Adobe Women's FA Cup Final match programme.