Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles forward and leading scorer in Italy’s Serie A, and Asisat Oshoala, the in‑form forward for FC Barcelona Femeni, top the list of nominees for the ninth edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards. The ceremony will be held in the Federal Capital, Abuja, on Friday, 24 March 2023.
Osimhen, who holds the record for most goals in a FIFA U‑17 World Cup final (10 goals in Chile, 2015), continues to find the net in Serie A, where he is currently the top scorer. He also contributed four of Nigeria’s ten goals in the historic 10‑0 victory over São Tomé and Príncipe last summer.
The awards feature 18 categories, including King of the Pitch, Queen of the Pitch, Striker of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, Midfielder of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sam Okwaraji Award, State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, Football Pitch of the Year, Football‑Friendly Governor of the Year, Corporate Sponsor of the Year, Sportsmanship Award, and four Football Journalist of the Year awards (Print, TV, Radio, and Online).
Presenting the nominee list to the NFF leadership on Thursday, Mr Shina Philips, President of Matchmakers Consult International—the organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards—expressed gratitude to the NFF for its ongoing support. He affirmed that the awards will continue to uphold the standards of transparency and credibility that have defined them since their inception in 2013. “We are happy with the encouragement and regard that we have continued to receive from the NFF since we started the Awards in 2013. The Federation has always been there and always present at the event. We are bold to say that the Awards will forever retain its integrity, transparency and credibility,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau, the video message wished the organisers continued success. NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen also pledged the Federation’s ongoing support, provided the awards maintain their integrity and credibility. Also in attendance were NFF Director of Communications Ademola Olajire, Head of International Dayo Enebi Achor, and Nigeria Pitch Awards Chief Operating Officer Nelson Olafisoye.
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