Mikel, Imoke win Nigeria Pitch Awards

Mikel Obi

| credits: File copy

Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and three-time African Women Footballer of the Year, Perpetua Nkwocha, emerged as King and Queen of the Pitch at the award ceremony of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Calabar on Saturday.

Mikel also went away with the Midfielder of the Year award beating the duo of Sunday Mba and Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio.

Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, also carted home the award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year.

Imoke thanked the organisers of the awards and the Nigeria Football Federation for the ceremony and dedicated the award to the people of his state.

In the players’ category, Vincent Enyeama was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year, while Godfrey Oboabona and Emmanuel Emenike emerged as Defender and Striker of the Year respectively. Felix Anyansi of Enyimba was honoured with the Manager of the Year Award.

Other winners are Jelili Ogunmuyiwa as Referee of the Year, John Shittu as Players’ Agent of the Year, Stephen Keshi as Coach of the Year and Kano Pillars as Club of the Year. Lagos State won the State with the Best Grass-roots Development Programme award.

Ade Ojeikere of the Nation newspapers took home the Football Journalist of the Year (Print) Award, while Bimbo Adeola of Star FM emerged as Football Journalist of the Year (Radio). Toyin Ibitoye of Channels TV was also voted Football Journalist of the Year (TV).