2 days ago
19
The stage is set for the 11th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, with Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman topping the nomination list for the prestigious King of the Pitch award.
The official announcement was made at Thursday’s press conference held at Bon Hotel, Ikeja, where the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to transparency, credibility, and the development of Nigerian football.
Speaking at the event, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed appreciation for the unwavering support from sports editors, journalists, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) since the award’s inception in 2013.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create an award platform built on the core values of transparency, credibility, and integrity. We are proud that year after year, our College of Voters—comprising Nigeria’s most experienced sports journalists—continues to make independent and patriotic decisions,” Mr Philips stated.
Fierce competition across categories
Osimhen, who has been instrumental for Galatasaray, will face stiff competition in the King of the Pitch category from Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman and Al-Kholood FC defender William Troost-Ekong, both of whom have also enjoyed stellar performances in the past year.
The Queen of the Pitch award will see an exciting contest among Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético de Madrid Femenino), Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC), and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC), three players who have continued to shine on the international stage.
Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it.
Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you.
Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation.
Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories —no paywalls, just quality journalism.
In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio), Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United), and Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars) have been recognised for their outstanding performances between the posts.
The Striker of the Year category features a highly competitive lineup, with Osimhen, Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, and Lookman battling for the top honour.
Alex Iwobi is former recipient of Midfielder AwardMeanwhile, Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (FC Augsburg), and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) are the nominees for Midfielder of the Year.
For the Coach of the Year award, Moses Adukwu (Edo Queens), Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers International), and Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars) have been shortlisted for their remarkable contributions to Nigerian football.
Commitment to Nigerian Football
The Nigeria Pitch Awards, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious football awards in the country, continue to recognise and celebrate excellence in Nigerian football.
Shina PhilipsMr Philips reiterated the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that the awards remain free from external influence, with an independent collation process handled by SIAO Partners, a leading accounting and auditing firm in Nigeria.
“Awards are not just about recognition; they serve as motivation for players and stakeholders to strive for excellence. Nigerian football has made significant strides globally, but there is always room for more achievements. The Nigeria Pitch Awards will continue to support and celebrate those who make our football great,” he added.
The Nigeria Pitch Award will also honour grassroots football development, corporate sponsors, and media professionals for their contributions to the sport.
Top nominees for the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards:
King of the Pitch
– Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray S.K)
– Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)
– William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC)
Queen of the Pitch
– Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético de Madrid Femenino)
– Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC)
– Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC)
Goalkeeper of the Year
– Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio)
– Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
– Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)
Midfielder of the Year
– Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)
– Frank Onyeka (FC Augsburg)
– Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Defender of the Year
– Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest FC)
– William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC)
– Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC)
Team of the Year
– Remo Stars FC
– Rangers International FC
– Edo Queens
READ ALSO: Transfers: Mikel Obi backs Osimhen for Chelsea move amid PSG, Man Utd interest
Coach of the Year
– Moses Adukwu (Edo Queens FC)
– Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers International FC)
– Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars FC)
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
– Edo
– Lagos
– Delta
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
-Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
-Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Onikan, Lagos State
-Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Times, we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all.
Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.
It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news?
TEXT AD: Call Willie - +2348098788999
English (US) ·