Ogunbote, Collins emerge February LBA winners in NPFL

Ogunbote, Collins emerge February LBA winners in NPFL

Plateau United Head Coach, Gbenga Ogunbote and Katsina United forward, Uche Collins, have been named League Bloggers Awards (LBA) Coach and Player respectively, for the month of February, in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

The award was instituted by the LBA in 2009 to celebrate coaches and players.

It was a strong field of shortlists for both awards, but Ogunbote and Collins posted superior performances with their clubs in the month under review to fend off other contenders.

Interestingly, Ogunbote, a winner of the monthly award since 2012, was winner of the award in January 2026.

To emerge winner, Ogunbote edged Fidelis Ilechukwu (Rangers), Azeez Mohammed (Katsina United) and Bright Ozegagbe (Ikorodu City).

Victories on the road at Remo Stars, including Kwara United and Shooting Stars Sports Club, at home were enough to justify his emergence as winner. Although he lost all points at El-Kanemi Warriors.

With five goals, including a hattrick in the famous eight-goal thriller at Wikki Tourists and a brace against Abia Warriors at home, Collins made huge impact to emerge clear winner.

Collins’ performance at Wikki made him the only player to score a hattrick in an away match this season.

Others nominated in this category included Chisom Chiaha (Barau FC), Joseph Arumala (Ikorodu City) and Jonathan Mariga (Wikki Tourists).

The LBA is Nigeria’s foremost League awards.