Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen, Onuachu lead the nominees list

The two strikers have been rewarded for their fantastic performances for both club and country over the course of 2021 

Victor Osimhen and Paul Onuachu lead a strong nominees list for the Nigeria Pitch Awards. The two players were nominated for Strikers of the year and King of the pitch.

Osimhen was also nominated for the Sam Okwaraji award- a prize given to Nigerian players and sports personalities for their positive contribution to society.

Organisers of the award revealed the nominees for this year ceremony at a press briefing in Lagos, with Osimhen and Onuachu receiving nominations in the two biggest categories.

Both players are currently injured and will miss the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, but they had an excellent 2021 for both club and country.

Osimhen was Nigeria's top scorer in 2021 with four goals, while he also scored 17 goals for Napoli in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Onuachu finished as the Belgian Jupiler League top scorer with a record-breaking 35 goals in the 2020/2021 campaign.

Other players nominated include Wilfred Ndidi, Maduka Okoye, Asisat Oshoala and many others.

Speaking at the press briefing, the president of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Mr Shina Philips, revealed that the organisation will always continue to help develop sports in Nigeria.

“At our inaugural press conference in 2012, we stated that the Nigeria Pitch Awards platform would offer Nigerians more than awards to deserving footballers.”

“In continuing with this vision to offer more to improve sports in Nigeria, we are pleased to announce an annual symposium on sports.”

“The symposium, which will precede the annual Award Ceremony, will attract local and international speakers.”

“Our vision is to make the gathering a unique opportunity to renew and re-focus national attention on sports in Nigeria and open up avenues for administrators to harness the opportunities sports provide.”

“We will outline more details of this project in the coming months.”

Goalkeeper of the Year

Daniel Akpeyi                     –       Super Eagles & Kaizer Chiefs

John Noble                         –       Super Eagles & Enyimba FC

Maduka Emilio Okoye           –       Super Eagles & Sparta Rotterdam FC

Defender of the Year

Olisa Ndah                         –       Super Eagles & Orlando Pirates FC

William Troost-Ekong          –       Super Eagles & Watford FC

Leon Balogun                    –       Super Eagles & Rangers FC

Midfielder of the Year

Joe Aribo                           –       Super Eagles & Rangers FC

Frank Onyeka                     –       Super Eagles & Brentford FC

Wilfred Ndidi                     –       Super Eagles & Leicester City FC

Striker of the Year

Kelechi Iheanacho               –       Super Eagles & Leicester City FC

Victor Osimhen                   –       Super Eagles & Napoli FC

Paul Onuachu                    –       Super Eagles & KRC Genk

Team of the Year

Bayelsa United

Rivers United

Akwa United

Coach of the Year

Diepreye Teibowei               –       Bayelsa United

Edwin Okon                       –       Rivers Angels FC

Kennedy Boboye                –       Akwa United

Sam Okwaraji Award

Victor Osimhen                   –       Super Eagles & Napoli FC

Seyi Akinwunmi                  –       First Vice President, NFF

Asisat Oshoala                    –       Super Eagles & FC Barcelona Femini

State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme

Edo State

Lagos State

Delta State

Football Friendly Governor of the Year

His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu               –       Lagos State

His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa           –       Delta State

His Excellency Nyesom Wike CON                  –       Rivers State

Football Pitch of the Year Award

Godswill Akpabio Stadium                    –      Uyo

Mobolaji Johnson Stadium                    –      Onikan

Teslim Balogun Stadium                      –      Surulere

Corporate Sponsor of Football Award

Air Peace                           –       Aviation

MTN                                  –       Telecommunications

AITEO Group                      –       Oil & Gas

Football Journalist of the Year Award – Print

Charles Diya                       –       The New Telegraph

Kelvin Ekerete                    –       Punch Newspapers

Johnny Edwards                 –       Punch Newspapers

Football Journalist of the Year Award – Radio

Emmanuel Etim                  –       Nigeria Info FM

Tony Bekederemo               –       Sports Radio 88.9 Brila FM

Olawale Adigun                  –       Top Radio 90.9 FM

Football Journalist of the Year Award – TV

Chisom Mbonu-Ezeoke         –       SuperSport

Miyen Akiri                         –       TVC

Cecilia Omorogbe                –       Channels TV

Football Journalist of the Year Award – Online

Fisayo Dairo                       –       ACL Sports

Shina Oludare                     –       Goal.com

Tobi Samuel Adepoju           –       Oganlamedia

Queen of the Pitch

Gift Monday                       -Super Falcons & FC Robo/Rivers Angels

Asisat Oshoala                    –       Super Eagles & FC Barcelona Femini

Uchenna Kalu                    –       Super Eagles & Linkopings FC

King of the Pitch

Victor Osimhen                   –       Super Eagles & Napoli FC

Wilfred Ndidi                     –       Super Eagles & Leicester City FC

Paul Onuachu                    –       Super Eagles & KRC Genk