SUPER Eagles pair Victor Osimhen and Alex Iwobi, as well as Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala emerged as some of the winners at the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Abuja on Friday night.
Serie A top scorer Osimhen of Napoli was named King of the Pitch, while Barcelona Femeni striker Oshoala emerged as Queen of the Pitch at the award ceremony held at the Johnwood Hotel, Abuja.
Everton star Iwobi won the Midfielder of the Year prize at the award ceremony that was staged just hours after the Super Eagles were humiliated 1-0 by Guinea-Bissau at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, stated that one shock loss by the team should not obliterate the exploits and achievements of the players and the entire team.
“The Eagles are ranked fifth in Africa; they have 19 appearances at the AFCON finals and have emerged winners three times. The Eagles have made six appearances at the World Cup finals since 1994,” he said
He noted that in the current season in Europe, Osimhen had scored 21 goals in Serie A, Oshoala has netted 18 goals in the Spanish women’s top flight, while Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have helped their respective teams to successful outings.
“We also cannot ignore the exploits of our local coaches, administrators, football sponsors and football journalists. These people have put in their best and deserve to be identified, recognized and honoured. We have a lot to celebrate,” Philips added.
Super Eagles and Omonia Nicosia star Francis Uzoho was named the Goalkeeper of the Year while Ajax left-back Calvin Bassey emerged the Defender of the Year, with Osimhen adding the Striker of the Year to the main prize.
In the other categories, Nigeria Premier Football League champions Rivers United won the Team of the Year gong, while their handler Stanley Eguma took home the Coach of the Year award.
Former Nigeria Football Federation vice-president Seyi Akinwunmi, the organiser of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation Mini-Tournament, won the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football for the second year running.
Lagos again emerged as the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, with Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo voted the Football Pitch of the Year.
In the media categories, Johnny Edward of The Punch was voted the Football Journalist of the Year – Print for the second time, while SuperSport’s Mozez Praiz won the Football Journalist of the Year – TV prize.
In the Football Journalist of the Year – Radio category, Tony Bekederemo of Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM emerged winner for the third time since first winning it in 2018. Tobi Samuel Adepoju of Oganla Media won the Football Journalist of The Year – Online category.
The Nigeria Pitch Awards were first staged in 2013 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.
