11th Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen battles Lookman on two fronts

By Bolaji Okunola

It’s the battle of two former Africa Footballers of the Year as the organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards released the names of shortlisted players for the 11th edition yesterday in Lagos.

Osimhen and Lookman will go head to head in the Striker of the Year while Victor Boniface of Bayer 04 Leverkusen of Germany completes the list in this category.

Osimhen and Lookman are also to battle for the main award, King of the Pitch award while William Troost-Ekong of             Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia edged out Boniface to this category.

For the Queen of the Pitch Award, it’s a straight battle among the trio of Rasheedat Ajibade of Atlético Madrid, Asisat Oshoala of Bay FC of USA and Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC of France.

Maduka Okoye of Udinese, Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United of South Africa and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole while Ola Aina, William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey are locked together for the Defender of the Year.

The battle for the Midfielder of the Year is between Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka of FC Augsburg and Wilfred Ndidi.

Remo Stars, Rangers International of Enugu and Edo Queens fight for the Team of the Year with Edo Queens gaffer, Moses Adukwu.

Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers and Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars square up for the Coach of the Year.

Former Nigeria international, Segun Odegbami, substantive captain of the Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa and Kunle Soname josstle for the Sam  Okwaraji award.

Edo, Lagos and Delta States are to  contest for the State with the Best Grassroots football development award just as the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena and the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo are up for the Best Pitch of the Year award.

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State,  Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and former Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki have been shortlisted for the football friendly Governor of the Year.

In the Corporate award category are GTI Financial Financial Services, MTN Nigeria Telecom and Bet9ja Sport Betting.

Nigeria National League (NNL) chairman, George Aluo is shortlisted alongside chairman of Remo Stars, Honourable Kunle Soname and Ahmed Musa for the Sportsmanship award.

In the media category are Charles Diya of New Telegraph, Abiodun Adewale of Punch Newspapers and Johnny Edward of The Nation Newspapers as Journalist of the Year in the Print while the trio of Mozez Praiz of Supersport, Blessing Nwosu of Silverbird TV and Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV for the television category just as Micheal Obasi of Hot FM, Abuja, Chuma Nnoli of Nigeria Info FM, Olawale Adigun of Mainland FM and Anthony Bekederemo of Brila 88.9 FM are shortlisted in the radio category.

The online medium is not left out as Niyi Busari of BSN Sports Concept, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News and veteran Kunle Solaja of Sports Village Square will battle it out.