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Pitch Awards: Players, Journalists, Edo, Delta, Others Jostle For Glory In 18 Categories [Full List]

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Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen and Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman, including in-form FC Barcelona Femeni forward, Asisat Oshoala, and other Nigerian players are all jostling for the ninth edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

The awards is scheduled to hold in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Friday, March 24, 2023.

This year’s edition has 18 categories of awards which include, King of the Pitch; Queen of the Pitch; Striker of the Year; Goalkeeper of the Year; Defender of the Year; Midfielder of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach of the Year; Sam Okwaraji Award; State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme; Football Pitch of the Year; Football-Friendly Governor of the Year; Corporate Sponsor of the Year; Sportsmanship Award; Football Journalist of the Year-Print; Football Journalist of the Year-TV; Football Journalist of the Year-Radio and; Football Journalist of the Year-Online.

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The nominees for the awards are:

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Victor Sochima Rivers United FC

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Francis Uzoho AC Omonoia Nicosia FC

Adebayo Adeleye Hapoel Jerusalem FC

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

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William Troost-Ekong Unione Sportiva Salernitana 1919 FC

READ ALSO: Osimhen, Oshoala, Rivers United Nominated For Pitch Awards

Zaidu Sanusi FC Porto

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Calvin Bassey AFC Ajax

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Alex Iwobi Everton FC

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Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City F.C

Joe Aribo Southampton FC

STRIKER OF THE YEAR

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Victor Osimhen Napoli FC

Ademola Lookman Atalanta B.C

Chijioke Akuneto Rivers United FC

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QUEEN OF THE PITCH

Monday Gift UD Granadilla Tenerife

Asisat Oshoala FC Barcelona Femení

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Rasheedat Ajibade Atlético de Madrid Femenino

KING OF THE PITCH

Ademola Lookman Atalanta B.C/

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Paul Onuachu Southampton FC

Alex Iwobi Everton FC

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Victor Osimhen Napoli FC

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TEAM OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars

Rivers United

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The Flamingos (Nigeria’s U17 Girls’ Team)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Stanley Eguma Rivers United

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Gbenga Ogunbote Shooting Stars FC

Bankole Olowookere The Flamingos

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

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Victor Osimhen Super Eagles

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, BET9JA

Seyi Akinwunmi Former 1st Vice-President, NFF

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STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Edo State

Lagos State

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READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Tems, Other 2023 Grammy Awards Winners

Delta State

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR

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Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Lagos State

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Akwa Ibom State

Remo Stars Stadium Ogun State

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FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

His Excellency, Nyesom Wike CON Rivers State

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State

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His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Edo State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD

MTN Nigeria Telecom

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BET9JA Sport Betting

Cocacola Bottling Co./

AITEO Group Oil & Gas

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SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

His Excellency, Philip Shaibu Deputy Governor, Edo State

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, BET9JA

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Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi Former 1st Vice-President, NFF

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

Tana Aiyejina Punch Newspapers

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Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers

Johnny Edward Punch Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

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Mozez Praiz Supersport

Promise Eforgie Television Continental

Cecilia Omoregbe Channels TV

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FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Yinka Oyedele Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

Emmanuel Etim Nigeria Info 99.3 FM

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Tony Bekederemo Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

READ ALSO: Full List: Wizkid Nominated For Nickelodeon Awards 2023 ‘Favorite Global Star’ Award

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE

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Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com

Tobi Samuel Adepoju Oganla Media

Shina Oludare Goal.com

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EPL: Mikel Obi Reveals Why Chelsea Failed To Beat Arsenal in 1-1 Draw

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, has claimed Chelsea failed to defeat Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, because of an early red card to Moises Caicedo.

The two London rivals played out a pulsating 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Caicedo was sent off in the 38th minute following a VAR check.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Why Arsenal Could Win The Title This Season – Guardiola

But it was Chelsea who took the lead after the break, thanks to Trevor Chalobah’s header.

But the Gunners equalized through Mikel Merino.

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So far this season, Chelsea have received seven red cards in 20 games across all competitions this season.

READ ALSO:EPL: Alan Smith Names Only Two Clubs To Compete For Title

That’s four red cards this season; it’s not good enough. I’ve spoken about it; the manager needs to talk with the players, because it’s costing us games as well,” Mikel Obi said on his podcast.

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“If you look at that game, if we finished with eleven men, I think we could’ve won. Maybe not easily, but comfortably, we could’ve secured a win.”

 

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EPL: Slot Reveals When Salah Will Leave For AFCON

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Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has revealed that Mohamed Salah was “not happy” to be dropped for their 2-0 win at West Ham on Sunday.

Salah was named on the bench at the London Stadium for the Premier League fixture.

Slot took the bold decision, as he looked to arrest a poor run of form, that saw the Reds lose nine of 12 matches.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Berbatov Names Team That Can ‘Surprise’ Arsenal In Title Race

Salah was not summoned from the bench for the entire 90 minutes, as goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo sealed victory.

It was a normal reaction for a player who is good enough to play for us,” Slot said.

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“I say that mildly as he’s been so outstanding for this club and will be in the future. He wasn’t happy he wasn’t starting but he wasn’t the only one.”

READ ALSO:EPL: Man Utd Suffer Fresh Injury Blow Ahead Of Everton Clash

Salah could yet return to the starting line-up as Liverpool host Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

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The 33-year-old will remain available for the next four matches, before he leaves to join Egypt’s squad for the African Cup of Nations.

“It’s 15 December,” Slot confirmed.

But always in these situations there is the player and the national team involved and there are always talks about what is best for all three of us.”

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Davido Reacts As Gov Adeleke Dumps PDP

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Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has reacted to the shock resignation of his uncle, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The singer kept it short but loaded, posting “Jeje… ” widely interpreted as a subtle message of calmness, quiet movement, or strategic withdrawal as the political storm around the governor intensifies.

Governor Adeleke’s resignation, though only discovered on Monday night was actually tendered on 4 November 2025, ahead of the party’s national convention in Ibadan. His aide, Olawale Rasheed, leaked the letter online, confirming the governor had walked away from the troubled party weeks ago.

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READ ALSO:Gov Adeleke Resigns From PDP

In the letter addressed to his Ward 2 chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited the unresolved crisis at the PDP national level as the reason for quitting. He appreciated the party for backing his rise as senator and later governor.

The revelation has thrown today’s scheduled Osun 2026 governorship primary into confusion. While the state chapter announced a postponement due to factional firestorms, the National Working Committee insists the primary must hold — even though Adeleke remains the only aspirant who bought the form.

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There is growing speculation that the governor is now eyeing a second term under the Accord Party, which several of his aides are rumoured to have already infiltrated and taken over in Osun.
His earlier attempt to defect to the APC reportedly hit a brick wall, with party leaders rejecting his move.

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