Africa’s best player, Victor Osimhen, has bagged four nominations for the 10th Nigerian Pitch Awards.
The list of nominees was unveiled at a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, 29 February, 2024.
CAF footballer of the year, Osimhen, who led Napoli to their first Italian title in 33 years, was named in three categories including Stiker of the year where he will battle Robert Mizo of Nigeria Professional Football League side, Bayelsa United and Bayern Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface.
Osimhen will also go head to head against Boniface in the King of Pitch Awards category which also has Emeka Obioma of Enyimba FC.
The 25 year old was also nominated for the Sportsmanship Award alongside NPFL board chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye and Kunle Shoname, Chairman of Remo Stars FC.
He was also named in the Sam Okwaraji Award for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and patriotism while supporting, sponsoring, playing for, or serving the National Teams.
Osimhen battles Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa and Soname for the award.
The nomination comes less than 24 hours after Osimhen bagged a hat trick in a 6-1 rout of Sassuolo in the Serie A, days after his return from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where he helped Nigeria finish as runners-up.
Meanwhile, Oshoala, Africa’s best female footballer, was instrumental as Barcelona won the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice in 2021 and 2023, four league titles, three Spanish Super Cups, and the Copa de la Reina three times.
She was nominated in the Queen of the Pitch alongside, Athletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade and Africa’s best goalkeeper, Nnadozie of Paris FC.
Super Falcons were nominated in the Team of the Year category for their exploits at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, against NPFL sides, Enyimba of Aba and Remo Stars of Ibadan.
Other categories are:
Goalkeeper Of The Year
Kayode Bankole Remo Stars
Amas Obasogie Bendel Insurance
Ojo Olorunleke Enyimba FC
Defender Of The Year
Calvin Bassey Fulham FC
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest FC
Bright Osayi-Samuel Fenerbahçe SK
Midfielder Of The Year
Al Hassan Yusuf Royal Antwerp FC
Wilfred Ndidi Leicester City FC
Alex Iwobi Fulham FC
Team Of The Year
Super Falcons
Enyimba
Remo Stars
Coach Of The Year
Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars
Finidi George Enyimba FC
Randy Waldrum Super Falcons
State With The Best Grassroots Football Development Programme
Edo
Delta
Lagos
Football Pitch Of The Year
Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena Onikan, Lagos State
Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Football Friendly Governor Of The Year
His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State
His Excellency, Godwin Obaseki Edo State
Corporate Sponsor Of Football Award
Bet9ja Sport Betting GTI Financial Financial Services MTN Nigeria Telecom
Football Journalist Of The Year – Print
Christian Okparah The Guardian Newspapers
Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers
Johnny Edward Punch Newspapers
Football Journalist Of The Year – TV
Miyen Akiri TVC
Mozez Praiz Supersport
Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV
Football Journalist Of The Year – Radio
Olawale Adigun Mainland FM
Yinka Oyedele Brilla 88.9 FM
Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM
Football Journalist Of The Year – Online
Samuel Ahmadu Savid News
Tobi Adepoju Oganla Media
Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com