Ademola Lookman, Rasheedat Ajibade, Samuel Ahmadu and Alex Iwobi shone at the 2024 Pitch Awards

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Lookman, the Super Eagles star, won Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch.

The Nigeria Pitch Awards held its 11th ceremony after a World Cup qualifier. The Super Eagles played Zimbabwe.

The award took place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Akwa Ibom.

Rasheedat Ajibade, the Super Falcons forward, was crowned Queen of the Pitch.

Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, welcomed guests. He promised to keep the awards’ values strong. The organisers will support footballers, he said. He urged Nigerians to back the Super Eagles.

Stanley Nwabali, Chippa United’s goalie, won Goalkeeper of the Year. He beat Maduka Okoye and Kayode Bankole.

William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles captain, won Defender of the Year for the fourth time. He edged out Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey.

Alex Iwobi of Fulham won Midfielder of the Year. He beat Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyema. This is Iwobi’s third win.

Hon. Kunle Soname won the Sam Okwaraji Award. This award honours commitment to Nigeria football. Soname beat Segun Odegbami and Ahmed Musa.

MTN won Corporate Sponsor of Football. Fidelis Ilechukwu, Rangers International coach, won Coach of the Year. Rangers International won Team of the Year.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News won Football Journalist of the Year – Online. Other media winners included Charles Diya, Cecilia Omorogbe, and Tony Bekederemo.

Full list of winners:

Goalkeeper of the Year: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)

Defender of the Year: William Troost-Ekong (Al-kholood FC)

Midfielder of the Year: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC)

Striker of the Year: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)

Team of the Year: Rangers International FC

Coach Of the Year: Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers Intl FC)

Sam Okwaraji Award: Hon. Kunle Soname (Bet9ja)

State With the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme: Lagos State

Football Pitch of the Year: Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium

Football Friendly Governor of the Year: His Excellency, Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom State)

Corporate Sponsor of Football Award: MTN Nigeria

Sportsmanship Award: Hon. Kunle Soname (Chairman, Remo Stars)

Football Journalist of the Year – Print: Charles Diya (New Telegraph Newspapers)

Football Journalist of the Year – TV: Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV)

Football Journalist of the Year – Radio: Anthony Bekederemo (Brila 88.9 FM)

Football Journalist of the Year – Online: Samuel Ahmadu (Savid News)

Queen of the Pitch: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atlético de Madrid Femenino)

King Of The Pitch: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC)