Pitch Awards Introduces Innovation Into Yearly Football Awards

The organisers of the annual Pitch Awards have taken a step higher as they have introduced  a National Symposium preceding the awards every year.

Making this declaration on Wednesday in Lagos, the CEO of the award, Shina Phillips, said they have decided to start a symposium, whereby the way forward for football in Nigeria would be discussed.

According to Phillips, there is need to make it an annual event same way as the award so that the future of football in Nigeria would be secured.

While urging the Super Eagles of Nigeria to go and excel in Cameroon, the venue of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations expected to kickoff this weekend, he said there is always reward for good performance on a yearly basis.

The award expected to take place in March will see Daniel Akpeyi, Maduka Okoye and John Noble fighting for the Best Goalkeeper of the Year Award while the Defender of the Year Award would be contested for by Olisa Ndah, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun.

It will be a straight fight between Joe Aribo, Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi for the Midfielder of the Year as Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho and Paul Onuachu, goes for the Forward of the Year.

MTN will be up against Air Peace and AITEO for the Corporate Sponsors as Edo State, Delta State and Lagos State will go head-to-head for the state with the best facility.

For the second year running, New Telegraph Charles Ogundiya has been nominated for the Best Reporter of the Year print alongside Punch’s duo of Johhny Edward and Kelvin Ekerete.

NOMINEES IN FULL

Goalkeeper of the Year: Francis Uzoho, Maduka Okoye, Daniel Akpeyi
Defender of the Year: William Troost Ekong, Olisa Ndah, Leon Balogun
Midfielder of the Year: Frank Onyeka, Joe Aribo Rangers FC, Wilfred Ndidi

Striker of the Year: Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu

Queen of the Pitch: Gift Monday, Asisat Oshoala, Uchenna Kalu
King of the Pitch: Wilfred Ndidi, Paul Onuachu, Victor Osimhen
Team of the Year: Bayelsa United, Rivers United, Akwa United

Coach of the Year: Diepreye Teibowei, Edwin Okon, Kennedy Boboye

Sam Okwaraji Award: Victor Osimhen, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, Asisat Oshoala

State with best grassroots football development: Delta, Edo, Lagos

Football Friendly Governor: Nyesom Wike, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa

Corporate Sponsor of Football Award: Aiteo Group, Air Peace, Aiteo Group

Football Pitch of the Year Award: Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Mobolaji Johnson Stadium, Teslim Balogun Stadium