Super Eagles and Atalanta star Ademola Lookman claimed top honors at the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards on Tuesday, winning both the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch awards.
The ceremony took place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, following the World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and Zimbabwe’s Warriors. Super Falcons and Atlético Madrid Femenino forward Rasheedat Ajibade was also recognized, receiving the Queen of the Pitch award.
Welcoming guests and award recipients, Nigeria Pitch Awards President Shina Philips reaffirmed the organizers’ commitment to upholding the awards’ core values. He assured that despite challenges, the annual event would continue to celebrate Nigeria’s footballers and administrators. Philips also urged Nigerians to keep supporting the Super Eagles and other national teams.
In the Goalkeeper’s category, Chippa United goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali beat Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win the prize. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong starved off competition from fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Calvin Bassey of Fulham to emerge Defender of the Year for the fourth time.
In the Midfielder of the Year category, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and Augsburg’s Frank Onyema could not stop Alex Iwobi of Fulham who appears to be in the form of his life. Iwobi has now won it for the third time.
The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Hon. Kunle Soname emerged winner for the second time having outscored Nigerian Ex-international, Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa.
Telecom giant, MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award as Rangers International Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu won the Coach of the Year award. Rangers International carted home the Team of the Year award.
In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News emerged winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Online. Other winners are Charles Diya of New Telegraph Newspapers who was named Football Journalist of the Year – Print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV won the Football Journalist of the Year – TV and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio was voted winner of the Football Journalist of the Year – Radio.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
King of the Pitch
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Queen of the Pitch
Rasheedat Ajibade – Atlético Madrid Femenino
Goalkeeper of the Year
Stanley Nwabali – Chippa United
Defender of the Year
William Troost-Ekong – Al-Kholood
Midfielder of the Year
Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC
Striker of the Year
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta
Team of the Year
Rangers International
Coach of the Year
Fidelis Ilechukwu – Rangers International
Sam Okwaraji Award
Hon. Kunle Soname – Bet9ja
State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
Lagos State
Football Pitch of the Year
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium
Football Friendly Governor of the Year
His Excellency, Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom State
Corporate Sponsor of Football Award
MTN Nigeria
Sportsmanship Award
Hon. Kunle Soname – Chairman, Remo Stars
Football Journalist of the Year – Print
Charles Diya – New Telegraph Newspapers
Football Journalist of the Year – TV
Cecilia Omorogbe – Channels TV
Football Journalist of the Year – Radio
Anthony Bekederemo – Brila 88.9 FM
Football Journalist of the Year – Online
Samuel Ahmadu – Savid News