Ighalo, Osimhen, battle for 2019 Nigeria Pitch Awards
Manchester United loanee, Odion Ighalo, OSC Lille of France striker, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal CF are to jostle for the 2019 Nigeria Pitch Awards billed to hold later this year.
From Left: Mr Ademola Olajire, NFF Director of Communication, Nollywood Artiste and Director, Segun Arinze, Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards and Veteran Journalist, Elder Ben Memuletiwon at the Press Conference where Nominees were unveiled on Friday in Lagos
The names of the three Super Eagles forwards were announced on Friday as the final nominees for the Pitch Awards striker of the Year.
Although, the organisers are yet to conclude of a possible date due to its postponement recently.
The event, according to Mr Shina Philips, was iniatially scheduled to hold on March 27 in Asaba, Delta State during Nigeria’s duel against Sierra Leone but called off due to the spread of Coronavirus across the world.
At the media briefing held at the Ibis Hotel in Ikeja, names of Francis Uzoho of Ononia Nicosia Football Club, Chiamaka Nnadozie of Rivers Angels and Daniel Akpeyi of Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa were listed for the goalkeeper of the Year award.
According to the organisers, William Troost Ekong of Udinese, Chidozie Awaziem of Club Deportivo Leganes and Kenneth Omeruo are to contest for the defender of the year award.
Other nominees include, Oghenekaro Etebo (Getefe CF, Joe Aribo(Rangers FC), and Wilfred Ndidi(Leicester City FC are in the Midfielder of the Year category, as Queen of the Year nominees have Onome Ebi of Henan Huishang FC, Chiamaka Nnadozie (Rivers Angels and Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi, Odion Ighalo of Manchester United and Victor Osimhen are to battle for King of the Pitch award, while Lobi Stars Football Club of Benue, national team , Super Eagles and Enyimba International of Aba are nominees for the Team of the Year award.
Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, Former Super Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby and Usman Abdallah are in the Coach of the Year category, as Sam Kwaraji award attracts Ahmed Musa of Super Eagles, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Kunle Soname, Chairman of Bet9ja.
Delta, Akwa Ibom and Lagos led the forefront of the State with the best grassroots football development programme, while Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike CON, Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta battle for Football friendly governor of the Year award.
Aiteo group, Zenith Bank and Bet9ja were nominated for the Corporate Sponsor of Football award, while Charles Diya of New Telegraph newspapers, Johnny Edward of the Punch and Tana Aiyejina are in the Football Journalist of the Year(Print).
Channels Television’s Cecilia Omoregbe, Austin Okon-Akpan and Mozez Praiz of Supersport are in the television category. Tony Bekederemo of Sports Radio Brila FM, Emmanuel Etim of Nigeria Info 99.3 fm and Wale Adigun of Top Radio contest for Football journalist of the year(radio).
Fisayo Dairo of aclsports.com. Samuel Ahmedu of goal.com and Kunle Solaja of sportsvillagesquare are in the online category of the award.
Speaking at the briefing, Philips expressed gratitude to the voters for doing a good job and for standing behind the successful hosting of the Awards in the last unbreakable seven years.
‘The Nigeria Pitch Awards has grown to be an integral part of the nation’s football calendar since 2013, we have continued to sustain the tempo which rewards footballers, administrators, coaches, clubs, sponsors. As organisers of this awards, we remain committed to our core principles of credibility, transparency and integrity. Our partners: the Nigeria Football Federation, represented by the Communication Director, Ademola Olajire and SIAO remained committed to the success of the Awards,’ he said