Napoli striker Victor Osimhen clinched the double at the 10th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Saturday at the glamorous event at the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo..
Osimhen was the biggest winner of the night as he claimed two awards – Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch. Newly-appointed Super Eagles coach, Finidi George was named the coach of the year after guiding Enyimba to the Nigeria Professional Football League title last season.
Super Falcons star, Asisat Oshoala beat her teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie to the Queen of the Pitch Award.
Alex Iwobi was named the midfielder of the year, beating Wilfred Ndidi and Al-Hassan Yusuf to the award.
Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina fought off competition from Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel to win the defender of the year award.
Enyimba and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Ojo Olorunleke was named the goalkeeper of the year, fighting off competition from Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars and Amas Obasogie of Bendel Insurance.
Remo Stars owner, Kunle Soname went home with two awards, the Sportsmanship award and the Sam Okwaraji award following his contributions to the development of football in Nigeria.
Lagos State emerged Best Grassroots Football Development Programme as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was voted as Football-Friendly Governor of the Year beating His Excellency Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo State)
An elated president of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Mr Shina Phillips said the award can only wax stronger and stronger every year insisting that the transparency and credibility of the organisers will never wane.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
- Striker of the Year 2023 – Winner: Victor Osimhen
- Queen of the Pitch 2023 – Winner: Asisat Oshoala
- King of the Pitch 2023 – Winner: Victor Osimhen
- Defender of the Year 2023 – Winner: Ola Aina – Nottingham Forest
- Goalkeeper of the Year 2023 – Winner: Ojo Olorunleke – Enyimba FC
- Midfielder of the Year 2023 – Winner: Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC
- Coach of the Year 2023 – Winner: Finidi George
- Team of the Year 2023 – Winner: Enyimba Int’l FC
- Football Pitch of the Year 2023 – Winner: Godswill Akpabio International Stadium
- Football Journalist of the Year (Online 2023) – Winner: Tobi Adepoju
- Football Journalist of the Year (TV 2023) – Winner: Mozez Praiz (Supersport)
- Football Journalist of the Year (Radio 2023) – Winner: Anthony Bekederemo (Brila 88.9 FM)
- Football Journalist of the Year (Print 2023) – Winner: Johnny Edward (Punch Newspapers)
- Football Friendly Governor of the Year 2023 – Winner: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
