Mikel, Ighalo, Oshoala Win Nigeria Pitch Awards

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Sports Minister Solomon Dalung and Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Pinnick were among eminent Nigerians who personally graced and picked up honours at the third edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards in Kaduna on Friday.
It was a night of celebration and eulogies as Super Eagles Captain and Chelsea FC of England midfielder, John Obi Mikel, and forward Odion Ighalo of Watford FC also picked up deserved awards.
Mikel, along with NFF boss Pinnick and former Nigeria international Olusegun Odegbami picked up the Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigerian Football, while El-Rufai, Dalung, Super Eagles head coach Samson Siasia and former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro (now Chairman of the Police Service Commission), received the Special Achievement in Football Awards.
In the players’ category, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Sunshine Stars FC picked up the Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Other winners in this category were Chinedu Udoji of Enyimba FC (Defender of the Year), Paul Onobi of Sunshine Stars FC (Midfielder of the Year) and Odion Ighalo of Watford FC (Striker of the Year) and King of the Pitch.
Asisat Oshoala retained her position as Queen of the Pitch.
Emmanuel Amuneke snatched the top prize for Coaches for his exploits with the Golden Eaglets in 2015 while Kadiri Ikhana won the Manager of the Year Award.
The Golden Eaglets and Enyimba FC won the Team of the Year and Club of the Year respectively.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was voted Football Friendly Governor of the Year and Lagos emerged the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme for the third consecutive year.
In the Media Category, Godwin Enakhena (Top Radio), Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV) and Tana Aiyejina (Punch) were announced winners.
Also at the brief but impressive ceremony were NFF 1st Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi; 2nd Vice President/LMC Chairman, Shehu Dikko; Board Members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Sunday Dele-Ajayi, Babagana Kalli, Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande and Chris Green; as well as General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS –FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Goal Keeper of the YearIkechukwu EzenwaSunshine Stars FC
Defender of the YearChinedu UdojiEnyimba FC
Midfielder of the YearPaul OnobiSunshine Stars FC
Striker of the YearOdion IghaloWatford FC
Rasheedi Yekini Award Gbolahan Salami Warri Wolves FC
Most Valuable Player (Men) in the NPFLGbolahan Salami Warri Wolves FC
Most Valuable Player (Women) in the NPFLNgozi EbereRivers Angels FC
Club/Team of the YearEnyimba FC – Club of the YearU-17 Golden Eaglet -Team of the Year 
Coach of the YearEmmanuel AmunekeU-17 Golden Eaglets
Manager of the YearKadiri IkhanaEnyimba FC
Referee of the YearFerdinand Udoh
Player’s Agent of the YearJohn Olatunji Shittu
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development ProgrammeLagos State
Football Friendly Governor of the YearH.E Nyesom Wike Rivers State
Football Journalist of the Year – PrintTana Aiyejina Punch Newspapers
Football Journalist of the Year –RadioGodwin Enakhena Top Radio
Football Journalist of the Year –TVAustin Okon-Akpan Channels Television
Corporate Sponsor of FootballGlobacom -GoldGuinness Nigeria plc -SilverSupersport -Bronze
Sam Okwaraji AwardsSegun Odegbami – (Ex-International)Amaju Pinnick – (Administrator)John Obi Mikel – (Highest Number of Caps in the team)
Queen of the PitchAsisat OshoalaLiverpool Ladies
King of the PitchOdion Ighalo Watford FC
Special Achievement AwardHis Excellency, Nasir El-RufaiExecutive Governor, Kaduna State
Barr. Solomon DalongMinister of Sports
Sir Mike Mbama OkiroChairman, Police Service Commission 
Dr Mohammed SanusiGeneral Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation
Football Achievement Award
Samson SiasiaSuper Eagles Chief Coach
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