Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey headline 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards nominees

Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Calvin Bassey headline the nominations for the 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards, setting the stage for keenly contested honours across multiple categories.

Speaking at an event organised to celebrate partners, members of the College of Voters and journalists, the president of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Dr Shina Philips, reaffirmed confidence in the credibility of the voting process, which is coordinated by SIAO Partners.

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“We would like to thank SIAO Partners and express our confidence in the results that will be presented at this gathering. We have worked with SIAO Partners for over 11 years, and during this period, they have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to this national project,” Dr Philips said.

Also speaking, Afolabi Lawal, Senior Manager at SIAO Partners, confirmed that the firm strictly adhered to due process in the collation and auditing of votes.

While unveiling the nominees, NFF Director of Media and Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, said the Nigeria Football Federation continues to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because of its transparent and credible process.

Category Nominees

In the prestigious King of the Pitch category, reigning winner Ademola Lookman of Atalanta will contest the award alongside Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen.

The Queen of the Pitch Award will see a three-way battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Féminine.

In the Defender of the Year category, rising Super Eagles centre-back Benjamin Frederick of FCV Dender EH will compete against Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC) and Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest FC).

The Midfielder of the Year award promises a fierce contest involving Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC), Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge) and Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş JK).

For the Rashidi Yekini Award for Best Striker of the Year, Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen earn their second nominations, alongside Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United.

The Football-Friendly Governor of the Year award will be contested by Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.