Matchmakers International, the organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards has released the list of nominees for 5th edition of the awards which is expected to hold in Lagos in June.
Shina Philips, President of Matchmakers International and the Nigeria Pitch Awards expressed delight at the noble achievement of putting in place a credible and transparent reward system for Nigerian footballers and stakeholders who have continued to display exceptional talents, skills, passion and commitment to the round leather game.
According to him, “The Nigeria Pitch Award has grown to become a significant part of our football and calendar. We are proud of the standard set and the high quality of award winners” Philips stated during a press conference in Lagos last week.
At the awards ceremony, Chairman of Ifeanyi Ubah FC, Nnewi, Chief Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, will contend with NFF President, Mr. Amaju Pinnick as well as the 2nd Vice President of the NFF, Alhaji Shehu Dikko over who goes home with the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian Football
One of the most keenly contested categories, the King of the Pitch, will have the trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, and Wilfred Ndidi doing battle while in the Queen of the Pitch category, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade and Ruben Charity will test superiority.
FULL LIST OF NOMINEES FOR THE 2017/18 AWARD CEREMONY
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Carl Ikeme Wolverhampton Wanderers
Ikechukwu Ezenwa Ifeanyi Ubah FC
Dele Ajiboye Plateau United FC
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Leon Balogun FSV Mainz 05
William Troost-Ekong Bursapor FC
Shehu Abdullahi Anothosis Famagusta FC
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
John Mikel Obi Tianjin Teda
Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC
Victor Moses Chelsea FC
STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Victor Moses Chelsea FC
Anthony Okpotu Lobi Stars FC
Odion Ighalo Changchun Yatai
MVP (MEN) IN THE NPFL
Ikechukwu Ezenwa Ifeanyi Ubah FC
Stephen Odey MFM FC/FC Zurich
Anthony Okpotu Lobi Stars FC
MVP (WOMEN) IN THE NWFL
Charity Rueben Ibom Angels
Rasheedat Ajibade FC Robo
Amarachi Okonkwo Nasarawa Amazons
COACH OF THE YEAR
Fidelis Elechukwu MFM FC
Gernot Rohr Super Eagles
Kennedy Boboye Plateau United
CLUB/TEAM OF THE YEAR
Super Eagles
Plateau United FC
MFM FC
REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Ferdinand Udoh
Adebimpe Quadri
Ogabor Joseph
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Lagos State
Rivers State
Delta State
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR
His Excellency Godwin Obaseki Edo State
His Excellency Emmanuel Udom Akwa Ibom State
His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode Lagos State
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD FOR COMMITMENT TO NIGERIAN FOOTBALL
Shehu Dikko 2nd Vice President, NFF
Amaju Melvin Pinnick President, NFF
Chief Ifeanyi Ubah Chairman, Ifeanyi Ubah FC
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD
Aiteo Group
Nigerian Breweries plc
Coca Cola plc
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (PRINT)
Johnny Edwards Complete Sports
Tana Aiyejina Punch Newspapers
Olalekan Okusan The Nation Newspapers
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (RADIO)
Godwin Enakhena Top Radio FM
Olawale Adigun Top Radio FM
Tony Bekederemo Brila FM
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR (TV)
Austin Okon-Akpan Channels TV
Godwin Enakhena LTV/SportsSplash
Mozez Praiz Supersport
QUEEN OF THE PITCH
Rasheedat Ajibade FC Robo
Rueben Charity Ibom Angels
Asisat Oshoala Dalian Quanjian
KING OF THE PITCH
Victor Moses Chelsea FC
Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC
John Mikel Obi Tiajin Teda
