Ighalo, Ndidi Leads Nominees’ List For The Seventh Edition Of Nigeria Pitch Awards

Former Super Eagles and Manchester United new sensation, Odion Ighalo, Super Eagles and Leicester City F.C midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, Lille F.C hitman, Victor Osimhen and Super Eagles and Villarreal FC playmaker, Samuel Chukwueze are among names of Nigerian footballers, officials and football administrators shortlisted for honours at the 7th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Speaking in Lagos at a World Press Conference attended by Sports Editors and journalists, Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards expresses the appreciation of the organizers to the President and Management of the Nigeria Football Federation and all voters across the country who voted. He said in the last 7 years, organizers have worked hard to sustain the core values.

‘Since 2013, we have continued to sustain this incredible platform which rewards footballers, administrators, coaches, clubs, sponsors and journalists for their industry, commitment and passion for the game and for the nation. In 7 years, the Nigeria Pitch Awards has become the longest-running football awards in Nigerian history. The awards are ranked among the 10 best awards in Nigeria. We are unarguably one of the few audited awards in Africa.’, Shina said.

Also speaking at the Press Conference, Nneka Eneli, SIAO Partners’ Head of Human Resources and Corporate Development, who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo said the accounting firm observed all due process while collating and auditing the results.

While announcing the names of nominees, Mr Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Communication, stated that the Federation endorsed and have continued to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because the award process is credible and transparent. ‘Every time the Organizers announce results, there are no controversies because the award process is credible and transparent.’

In the King of the Pitch category, Odion Ighalo, Manchester United striker, Victor Osimhen, Super Eagles and Lille FC Striker and Super Eagles and Leicester City F.C midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi will vie for the top award.

The Queen of the Pitch award will be a tough battle between Onome Ebi of Henan Huishang FC, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Super Falcons and Rivers.

The detailed list of other nominees is:

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

1. Francis Uzoho Omonia Nicosia FC
2. Chiamaka Nnadozie Rivers Angels FC
3. Daniel Akpeyi Kaizer Chiefs FC

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

1         William Troost Ekong                                        Udinese FC

2         Chidozie Awaziem                                               Club Deportivo Leganés

3         Kenneth Omeruo                                     Club Deportivo Leganés

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

1         Oghenekaro Etebo                                               Getafe CF

2         Joe Aribo                                                                  Rangers FC

3         Wilfred Ndidi                                                        Leicester City F.C

STRIKER OF THE YEAR

1         Odion Ighalo                                                          Shanghai Shenhua FC

2         Victor Osimhen                                                     Lille OSC

3         Samuel Chukwueze                                            Villarreal CF

QUEEN OF THE PITCH

1         Onome Ebi                                                              Henan Huishang FC

2         Chiamaka Nnadozie                                            Rivers Angels FC

3         Asisat Oshoala                                                       FC Barcelona Femení

KING OF THE PITCH

1         Wilfred Ndidi                                                        Leicester City F.C

2         Odion Ighalo                                                          Shanghai Shenhua FC

3         Victor Osimhen                                                     Lille OSC

TEAM OF THE YEAR

1         Lobi Stars                                                                Benue State

2         Super Eagles                                                          National Team

3         Enyimba International FC                                Abia State

COACH OF THE YEAR

1         Usman Abdallah                                                   Enyimba International FC

2         Thomas Dennerby                                               Super Falcons

3         Gernot Rohr                                                           Super Eagles

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

1         Ahmed Musa                                                         Super Eagles

2         Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi                                        Ist Vice President, NFF

3         Kunle Soname                                                       Chairman, BET9JA

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

1         Delta State

2         Akwa Ibom State

3         Lagos State

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

1         His Excellency, Nyesom Wike CON               Rivers State

2         His Excellency, Udom Emmanuel                  Akwa Ibom State

3         His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa                 Delta State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD

1         AITEO Group                                                                     Oil & Gas

2         Zenith Bank plc                                                                 Banking

3         Bet9ja                                                                                   Sport Betting

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

1         Charles Diya                                               New Telegraph Newspapers

2         Johnny Edward                                        Punch Newspapers

3         Tana Aiyejina                                             Punch Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

1         Cecilia Omoregbe                         Channels TV

2         Austin Okon-Apkan                                Channels TV

3         Mozez Praiz                                               Supersport

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

1         Tony Bekederemo                                   Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

2         Emmanuel Etim                                        Nigeria Info 99.3 FM

3         Wale Adigun                                              Top Radio 90.9 FM

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE

1         Fisayo Dairo                                               aclsports.com

2         Samuel Ahmadu                                       goal.com

3         Kunle Solaja                                               sportsvillages