Osimhen, Ajibade Crowned King And Queen At Nigeria Pitch Awards
Gala Forward Also Retains Striker Award As Nwabali, Bassey, Iwobi Shine
Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi emerged among the major winners at the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held at the Ibis Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday.
Osimhen retained the Nigeria Striker of the Year award, named in honour of late Super Eagles goalscoring legend Rashidi Yekini, after polling an overwhelming 328 votes to beat Nasarawa United’s Anas Yusuf, who received 59 votes.
Chippa United goalkeeper Nwabali also enjoyed a comfortable victory, winning the Goalkeeper of the Year award with 242 points ahead of Udinese’s Maduka Okoye, who polled 63.
Fulham defender Bassey was named Defender of the Year ahead of Ola Aina and Benjamin Frederick, while his clubmate Iwobi won the Midfielder of the Year award ahead of Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.
Remo Stars, who have since been relegated, were named Team of the Year for winning the 2025 Nigeria Premier Football League title, while Justine Madugu received the Coach of the Year award after guiding the Super Falcons to their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2025.
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade was crowned Queen of the Pitch, with Osimhen completing his double by winning the King of the Pitch award.
Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno was honoured as Football Friendly Governor of the Year, while MTN won the Corporate Sponsor of Football award.
Remo Stars owner Kunle Soname received the Sam Okwaraji Award, Lagos State was recognised for having the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, and the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo was named Football Pitch of the Year.
In the journalism categories, Charles Diya of New Telegraph won Football Journalist of the Year in print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels Television took the television award, Brila FM’s Anthony Bekederemo won in the radio category, while Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News was recognised as the best online football journalist.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nigeria Pitch Awards President Dr Shina Philips said the event went beyond trophies and photographs, describing it as a celebration of ‘talent, sacrifice, discipline, resilience and excellence.’
Philips also reaffirmed the credibility and transparency of the voting process, stressing that the winners were determined by a college of voters made up of sports editors across Nigeria.
‘Decisions are made by our college of voters made up of sports editors across Nigeria,’ he said.
