By Tayo Ogunseye
A field of winners will be confirmed today as the Pitch Awards will hold it’s 12th edition at the Ibis Hotel in Lagos.
The award has maintained a strong presence as a credible and a veritable platform for rewarding individuals, groups and corporate organizations for their contributions to the Nigerian football ecosystem.
Awards will be contested in 18 categories. In the King of the Pitch category, Atlético de Madrid 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.
Ademola Lookman (Atlético de Madrid) and Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray S.K) will face competition from Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year.
I’m an earlier statement, President of the NPA Shina Philips declared that, “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,”
The categories are:
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kayode Bankole Gold Geita F.C.
Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio
Stanley Nwabali Chippa United F.C.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Frederick Brentford F.C.
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest F.C.
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
Alex Iwobi Fulham F.C.
Frank Onyeka Coventry FC
Raphael Onyedika Eintracht Frankfurt
Wilfred Ndidi Beşiktaş J.K.
RASHIDI YEKINI AWARD FOR THE BEST STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Ademola Lookman Atlético de Madrid
Anas Yusuf Wolaita Dicha F.C.
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Remo Stars F.C
Rivers United F.C
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Remo Stars F.C
Rivers United F.C
Super Falcons Soccer
COACH OF THE YEAR
Daniel Ogunmodede Kano Pillars F.C
Finidi George Rivers United F.C
Justin Madugu Super Falcons
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD
Kunle Soname Bet9ja
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Delta State
Kwara State
Lagos State
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
MKO Abiola Sports Arena Abeokuta, Ogun State Sports
Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR
His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State
His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun Ogun State
His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD
Bet9ja Sport Betting
GTI Financial Financial Services
MTN Nigeria Telecom
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Bukola Olopade D.G, 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 News
Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV
Mozez Praiz Supersport
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO
Olawale Adigun Wash 94.9 FM/ Sure 97.5 FM
Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM
Chuma Nnoli Nigeria Info FM
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE
Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com
Niyi Busari BSNSports.com.ng
Samuel Ahmadu Savid News/ Nigeriafootball.ng
QUEEN OF THE PITCH
Chiamaka Nnadozie Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Esther Okoronkwo AFC Toronto
Rasheedat Ajibade PSG Feminine
KING OF THE PITCH
Ademola Lookman Atlético de Madrid
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K.
