Nigerian football 'll rise again – Philips

Nigerian football 'll rise again – Philips

Organisers 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, September 8, 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.

PHOTO: President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips (left) with Nigeria legend Jay Jay Okocha at one of the past editions of the Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony.