THE third edition of the annual NFF-Aiteo Football Awards was held in Lagos on Monday night, with Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr Aisha Buhari, four-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and the Super Falcons class of 1999 all honoured at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island event.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick heaped plaudits on Buhari, in whose name the six-nation invitational tournament to be concluded on Tuesday in Lagos is being held.
He said that her passion, interest, attention and commitment to the challenges confronting women, the girl-child and the less privileged in general motivated the Aisha Buhari Cup event.
The First Lady was honoured with the Best Supporter of Women’s Football award.
Silas Nwankwo and Charles Atshimene, the joint-top scorers in the last Nigeria Professional Football League season with 19 goals, were the winners of the Best Performance of the Year (Men; Nigeria-based) while Paul Onuachu emerged the Best Performer for the overseas-based category.
Super Eagles striker Onuachu scored 35 goals in 41 games for his Belgian club Genk and two crucial goals in the Super Eagles’ successful qualifying campaign for the 2021 AFCON finals.
Oshoala, whose Spanish club Barcelona Femeni won the UEFA Women’s Champions League last season, emerged Best Performer (Women; Overseas-based) while Gift Monday, top scorer in the Nigeria Women’s Football League season, was crowned Best Performer on the home front.
Akwa United, Bayelsa United, Kennedy Boboye, Moses Adukwu, Joseph Ogabor, Patience Madu, Ahmed Musa and NFFTV and NPFLTV were also award winners, while Princess Bola Jegede was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award (collected by her son, Christopher).
There were also post-humous awards to Prince Larry Eze and Ms Henrietta Ukaigwe for contributions to women’s football development.
Lagos State was named Host State of the Year and Edo State was recognised with Award of Commitment to Women’s Football Excellence.
Comperes AY (Ayo Makun) and Ufuoma McDermott then called the members of the Super Falcons class of 1999 to the stage, with 14 of the 20 players present on the night: Nkiru Okosieme, Rita Nwadike, Mercy Akide, Ann Chiejine, Yinka Kudaisi, Marvis Ogun, Maureen Mmadu, Stella Mbachu, Gloria Usieta, Adanna Nwaneri, Florence Iweta, Nkechi Egbe, Judith Chime and Martha Tarhemba. The deceased Ifeanyi Chiejine was represented by her sister.
AWARD WINNERS:
Best Performance of the Year (Men; Nigeria-based): Silas Nwankwo/Charles Atshimene
Best Performance of the Year (Men; Overseas-based): Paul Onuachu
Best Performance of the Year (Women; Nigeria-based): Gift Monday
Best Performance of the Year (Women; Overseas-based): Asisat Oshoala
Club of the Year (Men): Akwa United FC
Club of the Year (Women): Rivers Angels FC
Coach of the Year (Men): Kennedy Boboye
Coach of the Year (Women): Moses Adukwu
Referee of the Year (Men): Joseph Ogabor
Referee of the Year (Women): Patience Ndidi Madu
Memorable Performance of the Year: Bayelsa United FC
Host State of the Year: Lagos State
Best Supporter of Women’s Football: Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari
Commitment to Women’s Football Excellence: Edo State
Inspirational Award: Ahmed Musa
Innovation Award: NFFTV/NPFLTV
Special Recognition Award: Super Falcons Class of 1999
Lifetime Achievement Award: Princess Bola Ngozi Jegede
Post-humous Award: Prince Larry Eze/ Ms Henrietta Ukaigwe
