Reigning African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen has been nominated in four categories at the 10th Nigeria Pitch Awards.
The unveiling ceremony was done during a press conference held at the Ibis Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, 29 February, 2024 by SIAO Partners, collation agents to organisers.
Osimhen was nominated in the `Striker of the Year’, `King of the Year’, `Sam Okwaraji’, and `Sportsmanship of the Year’ awards categories.
Victor Boniface of Bayern Leverkusen of Germany got two nominations, while the current CAF Women Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala also got nomination.
Speaking at the event, President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips, said that the 10th edition of the award would be a landmark event.
His words: “First, I thank God that we have gone this far and this is the 10th edition. We have reeled our the programmes for this unique celebration.
“We are also glad with the richness of the nominees which was released by our partners in charge of the collation. We believe that the 10th edition will be a special one.
“All the plans for the 10th anniversary cannot be reeled out at once, so as the time comes, we will be unfolding the events, for now we want to start with a Football Summit.
“At the summit, we want to discuss the way forward for Nigeria’s football because we believe that a lot can be injected. We have done our best, this far, but we can do a whole lots more, ” he said.
Reiterating the efforts the organisers has put in over the years to maintain and preserve the credibility of the awards, Philips said “If anything is special celebrating the 10th anniversary, it is because the process that we have put in place is free and fair.
“Those that have gotten the awards are deserving and were given such on merit. We have done our best to see that the winners are adjudged to be the best and that the platform remains incontrovertible.
“We believe that the 10th edition will attract more Nigerians. It is important that we celebrate our heroes and it is also important that we have a platform that can reward them for their sacrifice.
“I am sure that the award will spur a lot of players and beyond the players, but across the country, ” he said.
The full categories and nominees:
Goalkeeper of the Year:
1. Kingdom Osayi (Doma United FC)
2. Amas Obasoge (Bendel Insurance FC)
3. Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba International FC).
Defender of the Year:
1. Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC England)
2. Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
3. Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe, Turkey).
Midfielder of the Year:
1. Yusuf Al-Hassan (Royal Antwerp, Belgium)
2. Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
3. Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).
Striker of the Year:
1. Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United FC)
2. Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy)
3. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
Sam Okwaraji Award:
1. Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy)
2. Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor, Turkey)
3. Kunle Soname (Bet9ja)
Queen of the Pitch:
1. Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético Madrid, Spain)
2. Chiamaka Nnadozie (French Division 1 Féminine)
3. Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona FC, Féminine, Spain)
King of the Pitch:
1. Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy)
2. Emeka Obiora (Shooting Stars SC)
3. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany).
Team of the Year:
1. Super Falcons
2. Enyimba International FC
3. Remo Stars FC.
Coach of the Year:
1. Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars FC)
2. Finidi George (Enyimba International FC)
3. Randy Waldrum (Super Falcon).
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme:
1. Edo State
2. Delta State
3. Lagos State
Football Friendly Governor of the Year:
1. Pastor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
2. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos)
3. Godwin Obaseki (Edo).
Football Pitch of the Year:
1. Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan
2. Remo Stars Stadium.
Media category:
Football Journalist of the Year (Print)
1. Christopher Okparah (The Guardian)
2. Charles Diya (New Telegraph)
3. Johnny Edward (Punch).
Football Journalist of the Year (TV)
1. Myen Akiri (TVc)
2. Moses Praiz (Super Sports)
3. Cecilia Omoregie (Channels TV).
Football Journalist of the Year (Radio)
1. Olawale Adigun (Mainland FM)
2. Olayinka Oyedele (Brilla Sport)
3. Anthony Berekederemo (Brilla FM)
Football Journalist of the Year (Online)
1. Samuel Amidu (Savid News)
2. Tobi Adepoju (Oganla Media)
3. Kunle Solaja (Sportsvillagesquare)
Corporate category:
Corporate Sponsor of Football Award
1. Bet9ja
2. MTN
3. GTI Financial
Sportsmanship Award:
1. Kunle Soname
2. Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy)
3. Gbenga Elegbeleye (NPFL).
According to organisers, the date for the 10th Nigerian pitch Awards will be communicated after due consultations with partners and stakeholders.
