Super Eagles and Atalanta sensation Ademola Lookman emerged the winner of both the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch awards at the 11th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held on Tuesday night. The ceremony took place after the Super Eagles’ World Cup Qualifier against Zimbabwe at the Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Rasheedat Ajibade of Atlético de Madrid Femenino was crowned Queen of the Pitch.
Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, reiterated the organizers’ commitment to upholding the awards’ core values and pledged continued support for Nigerian footballers and administrators. He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the Super Eagles and other national teams.
Winners
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, faced stiff 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 FC Augsburg’s Frank Onyema could not stop Alex Iwobi of Fulham. Iwobi has now won it for the third time.
The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian 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.
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.
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