L-R: Wilfred Ndidi, Leon Balogun, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Aisha Falode and Coach Gernot Rohr.
Chelsea FC and Super Eagles’ sensation, Victor Moses, Leicester City FC midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and the rave of the moment, Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State were among winners at the 5th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital Monday night.
It was a night of glamour, cultural dances, comedy, musical performances and razzmatazz at the Le Meridien Ogeyi Place venue of the Award Ceremony as organizers hosted Amaju Pinnick, NFF President, Shehu Dikko, 2nd Vice President, Aisha Falode, Chairperson of NWFL, Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, Super Eagles players and top officials and media personalities to a grand ceremony. The venue of the event was packed full with many football fans who had come to cheer their stars and winners.
Gernot Rohr the Super Eagles Gaffer while receiving the King of the Pitch trophy on behalf of Victor Moses said he had given the player time off to celebrate his first wedding anniversary and to take some rest.
Raising the trophy up, he praised the voters’ choice of Victor Moses as the King of the Pitch and hoped the award would inspire others to work harder. Rohr who could not hide his delight excitedly announced that his team would be the youngest at the World Cup. He again stressed that his boys had the character and discipline to succeed at the summer competition.
Victor Moses and Asisat Oshoala were named King and Queen of the Pitch respectively. Amaju Pinnick won the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football. He grossed a total of 47 points to defeat his closest contestant who scored 21 points.
Amaju Pinnick, NFF President (left) and Coach Gernot Rohr at the Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking at the event, Pinnick commended the organizers of the awards stressing that it was not easy to organise and award ceremony. He dedicated his award to his team of Shehu Dikko, Seyi Akinwunmi and Aisha Falode.
Gernot Rohr received the Achievement in Football Award.
Other winners of the night are:
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Ifeanyi Ubah FC) – Goalkeeper of the Year
Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05) – Defender of the Year
Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City FC) – Midfielder of the Year
Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars FC) – Striker of the Year
Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars FC) – MVP (Men) in the NPFL
Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo) – MVP (Women) in the NPFL
Kennedy Boboye (Plateau United) – Coach of the Year
Plateau United FC – Team of the Year
Ferdinand Udoh – Referee of the Yerar
Lagos State – State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
His Excellency Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom State) – Football Friendly Governor of the Year
Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President, NFF) – Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigerian Football
Aiteo Group – Corporate Sponsor of Football Award
Tana Aiyejina (Punch Newspapers) – Football Journalist of the Year (Print)
Olawale Adigun (Top Radio FM) – Football Journalist of the Year (Print)
Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV) – Football Journalist of the Year (Print)
Asisat Oshoala (Dalian Quanjian) – Queen of the Pitch
Victor Moses (Chelsea FC) – King of the Pitch
His Excellency Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, Governor of Rivers State- Special Achievement in Football Award
Aisha Falode – Achievement in Football Award
Channels Kids Cup – Achievement in Football Award
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