Super Eagles top player, Victor Osimhen is among the three nominees contesting for the King of the Pitch crown at the 8th edition of the Nigeria Pitch awards, Nigeria’s flagship award platform. He will be battling for the crown against Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Paul Onuachu.
Similarly, Super Falcon’s captain, Asisat Oshoala will battle for the Queen of the Pitch award against Gift Monday of Rivers Angels and Uchenna Kalu of Linkopings FC.
Other awards to be won at the event, include, The Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Striker of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, The Sam Okwaraji Award and State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme award.
Others include: The Football Friendly Governor of the Year and The Football Pitch of the Year Award. There are also competitions for the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award and Football Journalist of the Year Award (Print, Radio, Television and Online).
President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, said on Wednesday at the unveiling of the nominees in Lagos, that the eighth edition of the awards “is the story of the determination of all stakeholders to create and sustain a reward platform for our footballers, administrators and football lovers and supporters.”
He announce that an annual symposium on sports will precede the awards in the future editions. According to him, “The symposium will afford the gathering a unique opportunity to renew and re-focus national attention on sports in Nigeria and open up avenues for administrators to harness the opportunities sports provide.”
FULL LIST OF NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS NOMINEES 2022
Goalkeeper of the Year: Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi
Defender of the Year: William Troost Ekong, Olisa Ndah, Leon Balogun
Midfielder of the Year: Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo, Wilfred Ndidi
Striker of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu
Queen of the Pitch: Gift Monday, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kalu
King of the Pitch: Wilfred Ndidi, Paul Onuachu, Victor Osimhen
Team of the Year: Bayelsa United, Rivers United, Akwa United
Coach of the Year: Diepreye Teibowei, Edwin Okon, Kennedy Boboye
Sam Okwaraji Award: Victor Osimhen, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, Asisat Oshoala
State with best grassroots football development: Delta, Edo, Lagos
Football Friendly Governor: Nyesom Wike, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa
Corporate Sponsor of Football Award: Aiteo Group, Air Peace, Aiteo Group
Football Pitch of the Year Award: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Teslim Balogun Stadium.
