Ademola Lookman, the prolific Super Eagles and Atlanta player, stole the show at the 11th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, scooping up not one, but two prestigious awards: Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch. This impressive feat was celebrated at a ceremony held on Tuesday night, immediately following the Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualifier match against Zimbabwe at the Ikot Ekpene Stadium in Akwa Ibom State.
In another exciting announcement, Rasheedat Ajibade of Atlético de Madrid Femenino was crowned Queen of the Pitch, recognizing her outstanding contributions to Nigerian football.
Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, took the opportunity to reaffirm the organizers’ commitment to upholding the core values of the awards, emphasizing their dedication to promoting and celebrating Nigerian football excellence. Philips also expressed his gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support and encouraged them to continue backing the Super Eagles and other national teams.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards have consistently provided a platform to honor and recognize the achievements of Nigerian footballers, coaches, and administrators. This year’s edition was no exception, showcasing the best of Nigerian football and inspiring future generations to strive for excellence in the sport.
Here are the winners of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards:
Goalkeeper of the Year
Stanley Nwabali of Chippa United emerged victorious in the Goalkeeper’s category, beating out stiff competition from Maduka Okoye of Udinese and Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars.
Defender of the Year
Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, made history by winning the Defender of the Year award for the fourth time. He edged out fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Calvin Bassey of Fulham.
Midfielder of the Year
Alex Iwobi of Fulham took home the Midfielder of the Year award for the third time, outshining Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Frank Onyema of FC Augsburg.
Sam Okwaraji Award
Hon. Kunle Soname won the prestigious Sam Okwaraji Award for his commitment to Nigerian football for the second time, surpassing Nigerian ex-international Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa.
Corporate Sponsor of Football
MTN retained its title as the Corporate Sponsor of Football, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting Nigerian football.
Coach of the Year
Fidelis Ilechukwu, coach of Rangers International, won the Coach of the Year award, which was recognized for his outstanding leadership and coaching skills.
Team of the Year
Rangers International was crowned the Team of the Year, a testament to their hard work, dedication, and impressive performance throughout the season.
