Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey, Ajibade head nominations for 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards

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The Super Eagles trio of Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray FC, Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC, and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC lead nominations for the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

The organizers of the awards announced this at a media gathering at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, 16 December.

Speaking at the event organized to celebrate partners, members of the College of Voters, and journalists, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, reaffirmed organizers’ confidence in the voting process coordinated by SIAO Partners, the accounting firm that has been at the helm of the collation and auditing of the results since 2014.

‘We would like to thank SIAO Partners and express our confidence in the results that will be presented at this gathering. We have worked with SIAO Partners for over 11 years, and during this period, they have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to this national project,’ Dr. Philips said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Afolabi Lawal, Senior Manager at SIAO Partners, stated that the accounting firm adhered to all due process while collating and auditing the results.

While announcing the names of nominees, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Media and Communications, stated that the Federation continues to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because the award process is credible and transparent.

In the King of the Pitch category, Atalanta’s striker, Ademola Lookman, the 2024 winner of the award, will face competition from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray S.K. goal poacher Victor Osimhen.

The Queen of the Pitch Award will be a stiff battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Feminine.

Super Eagles new defensive sensation, Benjamin Frederick (F.C.V. Dender E.H.), will hope to stave up competition from Calvin Bassey (Fulham F.C.) and Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest F.C.) for the Defender of the Year award.

The Midfielder of the Year category will be a fierce competition between Alex Iwobi (Fulham F.C.), Frank Onyeka (Brentford F.C.), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), and Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş J.K.). Telcom

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Bukola Olopade, DG, NSC

George Aluo Chairman, NNL

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars FC

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

Abiodun Adewale, Punch Newspapers
Johnny Edward, The Nation Newspapers

Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

Babatunde Koiki, News Central Television

Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV

Mozez Praiz, Supersport

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO