Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo is in a running battle against Lille’s Victor Osimhen and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze for the Striker of the Year ahead of the 7th edition of Nigeria Pitch Awards.
Three nominees each in the 16 categories of the Awards were announced at a press conference held at Ibis Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos on Friday. Ighalo and Victor Osimhen made it a double as both players were nominated in the King of the Pitch category alongside Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City of England. For the Midfielder of the Year, Oghenekaro Etebo, Ndidi and Joe Aribo will compete for the award while Kenneth Omeruo, Williams Troost-Ekong and Chidozie Awaziem will vie for the Defender of the Year award.
Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi and Chiamaka Nnadozie are in the running for the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Lobi Stars, Enyimba FC and the Super Eagles were shortlisted for the Team of the Year, while Gernot Rohr, Usman Abdallah and former Super Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby battle for the Coach of the Year.
Onome Ebi, Chiamaka Nnadozie and Asisat Oshoala were shortlisted for Queen of the Pitch award. President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, while expressing his satisfaction on the success recorded so far in organising the annual awards, said the Pitch Awards is ranked among the 10 best awards in Nigeria.
He said a date would be announced later for the award ceremony as an earlier date fixed for the event had to be cancelled due to the ravaging COVID-19.