Lagos Gov, Sanwo-Olu, Teslim Stadium Get Nominations At Nigeria Pitch Awards

A college of voters comprising seasoned sports editors, correspondents and reporters has nominated the Lagos State Governor, the Teslim Balogun Stadium and the state itself in various categories of awards for the 8th edition of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards.

Nigeria Pitch Awards is a reward platform for Nigerian footballers, administrators and football lovers and supporters and its voting process is seen as one of the best processes of determining the nominations and eventual winners of various categories of the awards with its high level of transparency, credibility and independence of voters to make their decisions. P.M. EXPRESS reports that over 200 distinguished sports journalists were selected as members of the College of voters for their experience, professionalism and pedigree, while the voting process is coordinated by SIAO Partners Nigeria’s foremost indigenous accounting and auditing firm

Unveiling the nominees for the 8th Nigeria Pitch Awards in Lagos on Wednesday, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire said that Governor Sanwo-Olu is being nominated alongside Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in the Football Friendly Governor of the Year category.

The three nominated governors were chosen out of the 36 governors in Nigeria based on them being known to be public supporters of Nigerian football through moral and financial support for Nigeria’s national teams and clubs.’

“For the Football Pitch of the Year Award, Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Onikan and Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos have been nominated, while the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme category has Edo State, Lagos State and Delta State as nominees,” Olajire said.

The 8th Award Ceremony is scheduled to hold on 26 March 2022 at a yet to be named venue.

In other categories, the Goalkeeper of the Year has three players of the senior national team, the Super Eagles, Daniel Akpeyi, who plays for Kaizer Chiefs, home-based John Noble of Enyimba FC and Maduka Emilio Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam FC) make the nominations. 

For the Defender of the Year award, Orlando Pirates’ Olisa Ndah, William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC) and Leon Balogun of Rangers FC are nominated. The Midfielder of the Year category has  Joe Aribo (Rangers FC), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC) and Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City FC.

Striker of the Year has Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City FC, Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC) and Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk). Super Falcons star, Gift Monday, who plays for FC Robo/Rivers Angels, Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona Feminiand Uchenna Kalu of Linkopings FC will battle it out in the Queen of the Pitch award category.

Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Paul Onuachu are in contention for the King of the Pitch award, while Team of the Year has Bayelsa United, Rivers United and Akwa United. Diepreye Teibowei of Bayelsa United, Edwin Okon (Rivers Angels FC) and Kennedy Boboye (Akwa United) are nominated for the Coach of the Year award.

For Sam Okwaraji Award, the nominees are Victor Osimhen, Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President of the NFF and Asisat Oshoala, while in the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award, Air Peace (Aviation), MTN (Telecommunications) and AITEO Group (Oil & Gas) are nominated.

The sporting press is not left out as Olajire readout nominees in the categories meant for the media. These include Football Journalist of the Year Award – Print, which has Charles Diya (The New Telegraph), Kelvin Ekerete and Johnny Edwards both of Punch newspapers.

Football Journalist of the Year Award – Radio has Emmanuel Etim (Nigeria Info FM), Tony Bekederemo (Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM) and Olawale Adigun (Top Radio 90.9 FM) as nominees. Football Journalist of the Year Award – TV will be a battle between Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke (SuperSport), Miyen Akiri (TVC) and Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV)
Football Journalist of the Year Award – Online has Fisayo Dairo (ACL Sports), Shina Oludare (Goal.com) and Tobi Samuel Adepoju (Oganlamedia) as nominees.

Initiated by Matchmakers Consult International Limited and approved by the Nigeria Football Federation, the first Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held on November 16, 2013, in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.