Sports

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

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2023

Editor

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

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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: Why I Won’t Stay One More Year At Man Utd – Casemiro

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has explained why he won’t stay one more year at the club.

The 34-year-old is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the current season.

The Brazilian, however, had been urged by the club’s fans to extend his contract by one more year due to his brilliant display for Michael Carrick’s side this term.

Speaking on the development, Casemiro told ESPN Brasil, “There is no chance [for me to stay one more year].

“It is leaving through the front door. It has been four wonderful years, and I am eternally grateful not only to the club but to the fans.

“I think it is over. The cycle has ended here. I am moving on to a new chapter in my career.”

Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.