Duro Ikhazuagbe
Two of Nigeria’s best strike forces in Europe, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Bayern Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface, are both listed to battle it out in this year’s the Nigeria Pitch Awards. Osimhen is the reigning CAF Football of the Year.
Both players are also in the running for Best Striker and King of the Pitch Awards. They are joined by Bayelsa United’s Robert Miso for the Strikers award while Emeka Obinna of Enyimba is the third candidate shortlisted for the King of the Year Pitch Award.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Bright Osayi-Samuel of Fenerbahce will slug it out in the Defender of the Year category.
For the Midfielder of the Year category, Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City and Alhassan Yusuf of Belgian Royal Antwerp are in the running for that award.
For the Queen of the Pitch, it’s a straight battle between Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Assisat Oshoala.
Contesting for the Team of the Year are Super Falcons, Enyimba of Aba and Remo Stars of Ikenne.
The trio of Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars, Finidi George of Enyimba and Super Falcons’ Waldrum are squaring up for the Coach of the Year.
Speaking earlier at the unveiling of the categories, President of Nigeria Pitch Sina Phillip, remained upbeat about the quality of the awards.
“Within the last decade, we have remained resolute in our objective of giving Nigerian football a credible award platform which can consistently motivate and inspire healthy competition among our players, coaches, administrators, sponsors and journalists.
“This has come at a great cost to us but the outcome we have witnessed in recent years has shown that it is indeed a worth while project.”
He thanked both the NFF and the awards SIAO Partners for the great job they have been doing over the years.
“We are very appreciative of the resourcefulness displayed by SIAO Partners who have been selfless, thorough, and professional in their approach to this national assignment,” concludes Phillip.
