Nominees For Nigeria Pitch Awards Unveiled In Lagos, Organisers Reiterates Commitment To Transparency

Kunle Solaja (Sportsvillagesquare), Ben Memuletiwon (The Crest), Shina Philips, President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Toyin Ibitoye, Super Eagles Media Officer, Godwin Enakhena ( Sportsplash) and Dapo Sotiminu (Sports Compass) at the Nigeria Pitch Awards Press Conference in Lagos

Organizers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have announced nominees for the 2018/19 edition of the awards.

P.M. EXPRESS reports that the of  Super Eagles trio of Ahmed Musa of Al-Nassr, Odion Ighalo of Shanghai Shenhua and Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City FC were among the lucky Nigerian football players who were shortlisted for the King of the Pitch Award.

This announcement was made at a well-attended media briefing at the Ibis Hotel in Lagos on Thursday.

The briefing which attracted over 50 sport journalists including Toyin Ibitoye, the Super Eagles Media Officer, was called by organizers of the awards to announce nominees for the 6th Award Ceremony scheduled to hold in May 2019.

Speaking at the event, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed the gratitude of the organizers and award partners to all sport journalists, the Nigeria Football Federation [NFF} and SIAO Partners for their support for the awards since 2013, even as he reaffirmed the commitment of the organisers to maintain the integrity and transparency of the awards

Mr. Philips stated that organizers were working on a plan to overhaul the organization specifically with a view to reducing the number of categories.

“We are planning a major reorganization with respect to the number of categories we have. By next edition, we will certainly have fewer categories. We believe this will make it easier for our voters to complete their votes,” Philips said.

Nneka Eneli, Head of Corporate Services, who represented Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, the Managing Partner of SIAO Partners said the shortlist of potential winners was drawn from the votes cast by sport journalists across the country between February and March 2019.

“Voting for the 6th edition of the awards took place between 1st February and 1st March 2019.  We want to assure all voters of the Nigeria Pitch Awards that their votes have been adequately captured and the results you will get today are the wishes of all who voted. Let me stress again that the entire process was professionally handled by our team of accountants and auditors without any form of interference from the organizers or sponsors.” Eneli said.

Reeling out the list of nominees in all the categories, Toyin Ibitoye stated that Nigeria Pitch Awards is noted for its transparency in the voting process. In the Goalkeeper of the Year category, Ikechukwu Ezenwa of Katsina United FC, Theophilus Afelokhai of Enyimba F.C and Francis Odinaka Uzoho of Deportivo La Coruna/Anorthosis Famagusta were shortlisted. Brighton and Hove Albion FC defender, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong of Udinese FC and Kenneth Omeruo of Leganés FC will compete for the defender of the year award.

Pitch awards voters have recognized the growing influence of Stoke City midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo by nominating him along with Wilfred Ndidi  of Leicester City and the only Gunner (Arsenal FC) in the Super Eagles, Alex Iwobi in the Midfielder of the Year category.

In the Striker of the Year category, former Kano Pillars striker, Junior Lokosa will sludge it out with Shanghai Shenhua striker Odion Ighalo and the Super Eagles vice-captain and Al-Nassr striker, Ahmed Musa.

In the women category, multiple award winner, Asisat Oshoala of Barcelona Ladies, Francisca Ordega of Shanghai shengli and Super Falcon new sensation, Rasheedat Ajibade  Avaldsnes IL will vie for the Queen of the Pitch award.

THE FULL NOMINEES

Goalkeeper of the Year category

Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United FC)

Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba F.C)

Francis Odinaka Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna/Anorthosis Famagusta)

Defender of the Year Category

Leon Balogun (Brighton and Hove Albion FC defender)

William Troost-Ekong (Udinese FC)

Kenneth Omeruo (Leganés FC)

 Midfielder of the Year category

Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City)

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)

Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC)

Striker of the Year category

Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)

Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua)

Ahmed Musa (Al-Nassr)

Queen of the Pitch Category

Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Ladies)

Francisca Ordega (Shanghai Shengli)

Rasheedat Ajibade  (Avaldsnes IL)

King of the Pitch category

Ahmed Musa (Al-Nassr)

Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua)

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City FC)

MVP in Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) category

Godwin Aguda (Enugu Rangers)

Junior Lokosa  (Kano Pillars)

Mfon Udoh (Akwa United)

MVP in the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) category

Anam Imo (Nasarawa Amazons)

Evelyn Nwabuoku (Rivers Angels)

Rasheedat Ajibade (Avaldsnes IL)

Coach of the Year category

Thomas Dennerby (Super Falcons)

Gbenga Ogunbote (Enugu Rangers)

Solomon Ogbeide (Lobi Stars)

Club of the Year category

Akwa United

Enugu Rangers

Lobi Stars

National Team of the Year category

Super Sand Eagles,

Super Falcons

Super Eagles

Referee of the Year category

Ogabor Joseph Odey

Adebimpe Quadri

Ferdinand Udoh

Sam Okwaraji Award category

Kunle Soname (Chairman, Remo Stars/BET9JA)

Amaju Pinnick (President, NFF)

Seyi Akinwunmi (1st Vice President, NFF)

State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme category

Delta State

Rivers State

Lagos State

Football Friendly Governor of the Year category

H.E. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom)

H,E, Nyesom Wike (Rivers)

H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta)

Football Journalist of the Year (Print)

Tunde Liadi (The Nation)

Johnny Edwards (Complete Sports)

Tana Aiyejina (Punch)

Football Journalist of the Year (Radio)

George Iniabasi Essien (Comfort 95.1 FM),

Tony Bekederemo(Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM)

Olawale Adigun (Top Radio 90.9FM)

Football Journalist of the Year (TV)

Cecilia Omoregbe (Channels TV)

Mozez Praiz (Supersport)

Austin 0kon-Akpan (Channels TV)

Football Journalist of the Year (Online)

Tobi Adepoju (naijafootballplus.com)

Kunle Solaja (sportsvillagesquare.com)

Samuel Ahmadu (Goal.com)