Sports

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

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2023

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.

The nominees for the awards are:

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Victor Sochima Rivers United FC

Francis Uzoho AC Omonoia Nicosia FC

Adebayo Adeleye Hapoel Jerusalem FC

DEFENDER OF THE YEAR

William Troost-Ekong Unione Sportiva Salernitana 1919 FC

Zaidu Sanusi FC Porto

Calvin Bassey AFC Ajax

MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR

Alex Iwobi Everton FC

Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City F.C

Joe Aribo Southampton FC

STRIKER OF THE YEAR

Victor Osimhen Napoli FC

Ademola Lookman Atalanta B.C

Chijioke Akuneto Rivers United FC

QUEEN OF THE PITCH

Monday Gift UD Granadilla Tenerife

Asisat Oshoala FC Barcelona Femení

Rasheedat Ajibade Atlético de Madrid Femenino

KING OF THE PITCH

Ademola Lookman Atalanta B.C/

Paul Onuachu Southampton FC

Alex Iwobi Everton FC

Sponsored Stories
Nigerian Professor Discovered Product Which Can Ease Joint Pain
Nigerian Professor Discovered Product Which Can Ease Joint Pain
Sponsored | Motion Free
Victor Osimhen Napoli FC

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Remo Stars

Rivers United

The Flamingos (Nigeria’s U17 Girls’ Team)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Stanley Eguma Rivers United

Gbenga Ogunbote Shooting Stars FC

Bankole Olowookere The Flamingos

SAM OKWARAJI AWARD

Victor Osimhen Super Eagles

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, BET9JA

Seyi Akinwunmi Former 1st Vice-President, NFF

STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Edo State

Lagos State

Delta State

FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR

Mobolaji Johnson Sport Arena Lagos State

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Akwa Ibom State

Remo Stars Stadium Ogun State

FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR

His Excellency, Nyesom Wike CON Rivers State

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State

His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Edo State

CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD

MTN Nigeria Telecom

BET9JA Sport Betting

Cocacola Bottling Co./

AITEO Group Oil & Gas

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

His Excellency, Philip Shaibu Deputy Governor, Edo State

Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, BET9JA

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

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT

Tana Aiyejina Punch Newspapers

Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers

Johnny Edward Punch Newspapers

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV

Mozez Praiz Supersport

Promise Eforgie Television Continental

Cecilia Omoregbe Channels TV

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO

Yinka Oyedele Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

Emmanuel Etim Nigeria Info 99.3 FM

Tony Bekederemo Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE

Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com

Tobi Samuel Adepoju Oganla Media

Shina Oludare Goal.com

Sports

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.