Uyo: Ademola Lookman, the reigning ‘African Footballer of the Year’, has once again added to his accolades as he has emerged the ‘2024/2025 King of the Pitch’ at an award ceremony in Uyo. The Super Eagles and Atalanta BC sensation, Lookman, claimed the titles of Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch at the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the organisers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards said the ceremony was held following the World Cup Qualifier match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe. The event took place at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, and also saw Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons forward, being crowned as Queen of the Pitch.
Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, emphasized the organisers’ commitment to maintaining the core values and momentum of the awards. He assured that they would continue to support footballers and administrators by hosting the annual event, despite any challenges faced. Philips also urged Nigerians to keep supporting the Super Eagles and other national teams.
In other categories, Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali emerged as Goalkeeper of the Year, outperforming Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole. Super Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong claimed the Defender of the Year title for the fourth time, surpassing competitors Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC. Meanwhile, in the Midfielder of the Year category, Fulham FC’s Alex Iwobi triumphed over Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and FC Augsburg’s Frank Onyema, marking his third win.
The Sam Okwaraji Award, recognizing commitment to Nigerian football, was awarded to Kunle Soname for the second time, ahead of Nigerian Ex-international Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles Captain Ahmed Musa. MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award, while Fidelis Ilechukwu of Rangers International won Coach of the Year. Rangers International also received the Team of the Year award.
In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News was named Football Journalist of the Year – Online. Other media winners included Charles Diya of New Telegraph Newspapers for Print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV for Television, and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio for Radio.
The full list of winners includes:
– 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: 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: 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 – Atl©tico de Madrid Femenino
– King of the Pitch: Ademola Lookman – Atalanta BC.