Atlético de Madrid forward Ademola Lookman, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen are battling for ‘King of the Pitch’, at this year’s Nigeria Pitch Awards holding in Lagos on September 8.
Lookman and Osimhen are also competing for the ‘Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker of the Year’, alongside Anas Yusuf of Wolaita Dicha FC.
Meanwhile, the Queen of the Pitch award will be contested by Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto and Rasheedat Ajibade of Paris Saint-Germain.
President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, made this known in Abuja last week while unveiling nominees for the awards, arguably Nigeria’s biggest and longest running sports ceremony in Nigeria.
Philips said the decision to proceed with the 12th edition of the awards at this time was a demonstration of the organisers’ belief in Nigerian football and its players.
According to him, “Hosting the 12th Awards Ceremony at this time is a demonstration of our faith in Nigerian football. Since 2013, when we held our maiden edition in Calabar, we have shown Nigerians that our players deserve commendations and encouragement for their selfless, patriotic contributions to the growth of our football,” Mr Philips said.
The awards ceremony was initially scheduled for earlier in the year but was postponed. Mr Philips apologised for the delay, explaining that the trophies and other logistics were already in place, but some factors forced the organisers to shift the date.
“All necessary logistics, including the award statuettes, have been in place, but the awards themselves could not be held as earlier scheduled,” he said.
See full list of nominees for the awards…
1. Goalkeeper of the Year
• Kayode Bankole
• Maduka Okoye
• Stanley Nwabali
2. Defender of the Year
• Benjamin Frederick
• Calvin Bassey
• Ola Aina
3. Midfielder of the Year
• Alex Iwobi
• Frank Onyeka
• Raphael Onyedika
• Wilfred Ndidi
4. Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker of the Year
• Ademola Lookman
• Anas Yusuf
• Victor Osimhen
5. Team of the Year
• Remo Stars FC
• Rivers United FC
• Super Falcons
6. Coach of the Year
• Daniel Ogunmodede
• Finidi George
• Justin Madugu
7. Sam Okwaraji Award
• Kunle Soname
• Patrick Olusegun Odegbami
• Victor Osimhen
8. State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
• Delta State
• Kwara State
• Lagos State
9. Football Pitch of the Year
• Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo
• MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta
• Remo Stars Stadium, Remo
10. Football Friendly Governor of the Year
• Babajide Sanwo-Olu
• Dapo Abiodun
• Umo Eno
11. Corporate Sponsor of Football Award
• Bet9ja
• GTI Financial
• MTN Nigeria
12. Sportsmanship Award
• Bukola Olopade
• George Aluo
• Kunle Soname
13. Football Journalist of the Year – Print
• Abiodun Adewale
• Johnny Edward
• Charles Diya
14. Football Journalist of the Year – TV
• Babatunde Koiki
• Cecilia Omorogbe
• Mozez Praiz
15. Football Journalist of the Year – Radio
• Olawale Adigun
• Anthony Bekederemo
• Chuma Nnoli
16. Football Journalist of the Year – Online
• Kunle Solaja
• Niyi Busari
• Samuel Ahmadu
17. Queen of the Pitch
• Chiamaka Nnadozie
• Esther Okoronkwo
• Rasheedat Ajibade
18. King of the Pitch
• Ademola Lookman
• Calvin Bassey
• Victor Osimhen
