The organisers of Nigerian Pitch Awards Have released the nominees for the yearly celebration of the best in the Nigerian football ecosystem.
In a press conference held in Lagos on Thursday, the organisers said the process that led to the nominees was painstaking and came with rigors towards getting the best as nominated by stakeholders.
Shina Philips, the president of Nigerian Pitch Award, said it was the wish of the organisers to continue to sustain the awards that has continually recognise excellence.
“I would like to restate the resolve and commitment of the organisers to continue to sustain this award platform. Within the last decade, we have remained resolute in our objective of giving Nigerian football a credible award platform which can consistently motivate and inspire healthy competition among our players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and journalists. This has come at a great cost to us but the outcome we have witnessed in recent years has shown that it is indeed a worth while project.
“The shortlist that will be announced shortly by our collation and audit partner is entirely the result of the professional work put in by the voters and SIAO Partners. The results clearly reflect the wishes of our voters across the country. Being nominated in the first place is a huge honour and I therefore urge all those nominated to accept their nomination with a sense of fulfilment.
“We had envisaged that the 10th award ceremony would hold in March during the International Match Window. Unfortunately, the team would not be coming to Nigeria. We will therefore announce the date for the grand 10th award ceremony after due consultation with all our partners.
“I would like to express our appreciation to the president and management team of the Nigeria Football Federation who have been our partner in this project since inception. Without doubt, the media have been one of our strongest allies. We hold the editors and journalists in very high esteem; your contributions and steadfastness to the Nigeria Pitch Awards has been a huge source of support to us.
“We are also very appreciative of the resourcefulness displayed by SIAO Partners who have been selfless, thorough, and professional in their approach to this national assignment.”
List of Nominees:
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kayode Bankole Remo Stars
Amas Obasogie Bendel Insurance
Ojo Olorunleke Enyimba FC
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Calvin Bassey Fulham FC
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest FC
Bright Osayi-Samuel Fenerbahçe SK
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
AI Hassan Yusuf Royal Antwerp FC
Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC
Alex Iwobi Fulham FC
STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Robert Mizo Bayelsa United
Victor Osimhen Napoli FC
Victor Boniface Bayer Leverkusen
QUEEN OF THE PITCH
Rasheedat Ajibade Atlético de Madrid Femenino
Chiamaka Nnadozi Paris FC
Asisat Oshoala FC Barcelona Femení
KING OF THE PITCH
Victor Osimhen Napoli FC
Emeka Obioma Enyimba FC
Victor Boniface Bayer Leverkusen
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Super Falcons
Enyimba
Remo Stars
COACH OF THE YEAR
Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars
Finidi George Enyimba FC
Randy Waldrum Super Falcons
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD
Victor Osimhen Napoli FC
Ahmed Musa Sivasspor
Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Edo
Delta
Lagos
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Onikan, Lagos State
Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR
His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State
His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Edo State
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD
Bet9ja Sport Betting
GTI Financial Financial Services
MTN Nigeria Telecom
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars FC
Victor Osimhen Napoli FC
Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye Chairman, NPFL Board
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT
Christian Okparah The Guardian Newspapers
Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers
Johnny Edward Punch Newspapers
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV
Miyen Akiri TVC
Mozez Praiz Supersport
Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO
Olawale Adigun Mainland FM
Yinka Oyedele Brilla 88.9 FM
Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE
Samuel Ahmadu Savid News
Tobi Adepoju Oganla Media
Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com
