Super Eagles and Atalanta BC sensation, Ademola Lookman emerged winner of the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch last night at the 11th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards. The ceremony, held after the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State also witnessed the crowning of Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons and Atlético de Madrid Femenino forward as Queen of the Pitch.
While welcoming guests and awardees, Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards reiterated organizers’ determination to sustain the core values and tempo of the awards. He pledged that organizers will continue to demonstrate faith in our footballers and administrators by hosting the annual event notwithstanding the challenges encountered while doing so. He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles and other national teams.
In the Goalkeeper’s category, Chippa United goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali beat Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win the prize. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong starved off competition from fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest FG and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC to emerge Defender of the Year for the fourth time.
In the Midfielder of the Year category, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and FC Augsburg’s Frank Onyema could not stop Alex Iwobi of Fulham FG who appears to be in the form of his life. Iwobi has now won it for the third time.
The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Hon. Kunle Soname emerged winner for the second time having outscored Nigerian Ex-international, Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa.
Telecom giant, MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award as Rangers International Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu won the Coach of the Year award. Rangers International carted home the Team of the Year award.
In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News emerged winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Online. Other winners are Charles Diya of New Telegraph Newspapers who was named Football Journalist of the Year – Print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV won the Football Journalist of the Year – TV and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Radio.
Full List of winners
Goalkeeper of the Year
Stanley Nwabali – Chippa United
Defender of the Year
William Troost-Ekong – Al-kholood FC
Midfielder of the Year
Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC
Striker of the Year
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta BC
Team of the Year
Rangers International FC
Coach Of the Year
Fidelis Ilechukwu – Rangers Intl FC
Sam Okwaraji Award
Hon. Kunle Soname – Bet9ja
State With the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
