Nigerian Football Will Rise Again – Philips
Organizers of the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards are optimistic that the country’s national teams will bounce back despite a recent string of setbacks in international competitions.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, expressed confidence in the ability of the national team players and the leagues to turn the tide and set our football looking north again.
“We have absolute confidence in our footballers who are doing well in various leagues across Europe, America, Africa, and other parts of the world,” Philips said.
As a further demonstration of his confidence in Nigerian football, Philips announced that the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards Ceremony, which had been scheduled for earlier in the year, would now hold on Tuesday, 8th September 2026, at the Ibis Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
“Hosting the 12th Awards Ceremony at this time is a demonstration of our faith in Nigerian football. Since 2013, when we held our maiden edition in Calabar, we have shown Nigerians that our players deserve commendations and encouragement for their selfless, patriotic contributions to the growth of our football,” Philips noted.
On behalf of the organizers, Philips regrets the delay in hosting the 12th edition of the awards, stating that although the trophies and other logistics were already in place, certain factors necessitated postponing the ceremony beyond the expected date.
“All necessary logistics, including the award statuettes, have been in place, but the awards itself could not be held as earlier scheduled,” Philips noted.
The 12th Awards Ceremony will feature awards in 18 categories. In the King of the Pitch category, Atlético de Madrid striker Ademola Lookman, the 2024-winner of the award, will face competition from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray S.K. goal poacher Victor Osimhen.
Ademola Lookman (Atlético de Madrid) and Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray S.K) will face competition from Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year.
The Queen of the Pitch Award will be a stiff battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Feminine.
The award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year will be a contest among Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kayode Bankole Gold Geita F.C.
Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio
Stanley Nwabali Chippa United F.C.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Frederick Brentford F.C.
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest F.C.
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
Alex Iwobi Fulham F.C.
Frank Onyeka Coventry FC
Raphael Onyedika Eintracht Frankfurt
Wilfred Ndidi Beşiktaş J.K.
RASHIDI YEKINI AWARD FOR THE BEST STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Ademola Lookman Atlético de Madrid
Anas Yusuf Wolaita Dicha F.C.
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Remo Stars F.C
Rivers United F.C
Super Falcons
COACH OF THE YEAR
Daniel Ogunmodede Kano Pillars F.C
Finidi George Rivers United F.C
Justin Madugu Super Falcons
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD
Kunle Soname Bet9ja
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Delta State
Kwara State
Lagos State
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
MKO Abiola Sports Arena Abeokuta, Ogun State
Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR
His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State
His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun Ogun State
His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD
Bet9ja Sport Betting
GTI Financial Financial Services
MTN Nigeria Telecom
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Bukola Olopade D.G, NSC
George Aluo Chairman, NNL
Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars FC
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT
Abiodun Adewale Punch Newspapers
Johnny Edward The Nation Newspapers
Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV
Babatunde Koiki News Central Television
Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV
Mozez Praiz Supersport
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO
Olawale Adigun Wash 94.9 FM/ Sure 97.5 FM
Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM
Chuma Nnoli Nigeria Info FM
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE
Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com
Niyi Busari BSNSports.com.ng
Samuel Ahmadu Savid News/ Nigeriafootball.ng
QUEEN OF THE PITCH
Chiamaka Nnadozie Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Esther Okoronkwo AFC Toronto
Rasheedat Ajibade PSG Feminine
KING OF THE PITCH
Ademola Lookman Atlético de Madrid
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K.
