SUPER Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala are among the nominees for the ninth edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Abuja on March 24.
Napoli star Osimhen, record scorer of the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals (with 10 goals, achieved at the tournament in Chile in 2015 which Nigeria won), is currently the top scorer in the Serie A with 16 goals.
The 24-year-old also netted four of Nigeria’s 10 goals in the record international win over Sao Tome and Principe last year.
On her part, Oshoala has been in prolific form for Barcelona’s women’s team and is the leading scorer in the women’s top flight in Spain.
Osimhen is up for the King of the Pitch award, with Oshoala nominated for the Queen of the Pitch prize.
Among the other notable nominees are Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman, Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi, Salernitana defender William Troost-Ekong, Atletico Madrid women’s team star Rasheedat Ajibade, Governors Nyesom Wike and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Rivers United head coach Stanley Eguma.
There are eighteen categories of awards to be handed out, including the aforementioned King of the Pitch and Queen of the Pitch, as well as Striker of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year; Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Team of the Year and Coach of the Year.
The other prizes are 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.
Presenting the list of nominees to the NFF yesterday, President of Matchmakers Consult International (organisers of the awards), Shina Philips, expressed appreciation to the governing body for its encouragement of the awards over the years and assured that the process would remain transparent.
“We are happy with the encouragement and regard that we have continued to receive from the NFF since we started the Awards in 2013,” Philips said.
“The Federation has always been there and always present at the event. We are bold to say that the awards will forever retain its integrity, transparency and credibility.”
Responding on behalf of the NFF president, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, who joined the presentation on video to wish the organisers the best going forward, NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen assured the Nigeria Pitch Awards of the federation’s continued support.
