Sports
Osimhen, Bassey and Lookman Lead Star-Studded Nominations for 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards
Joel Ajayi
Organisers of the prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards have unveiled the nominees for the 2025 edition, with Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Calvin Bassey and Ademola Lookman emerging as leading contenders across major categories.
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman headline the shortlist for the coveted King of the Pitch (Men) award. Osimhen is in contention for the honour for the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall, having previously won in 2022 and retained the title in the last two editions.
Lookman is eyeing a second triumph after claiming the award in 2023, while Bassey is seeking his maiden win following an outstanding year at both club and international level.
In the women’s category, Queen of the Pitch, Super Falcons stars Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo have been nominated in recognition of their impressive performances for club and country over the past year.
The nominees were officially unveiled on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ luncheon held at the Johnwood Hotel, Abuja. The well-attended event drew football administrators, partners, sports editors, members of the College of Voters and media representatives.
Elsewhere, Udinese shot-stopper Maduka Okoye has been shortlisted for Goalkeeper of the Year, alongside Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole.
The Midfielder of the Year category features Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, while Benjamin Fredrick, Calvin Bassey and Ola Aina will battle for Defender of the Year honours. For Striker of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Yusuf Anas are the nominees.
In the coaching category, Daniel Ogunmodede (Remo Stars), Finidi George (Rivers United) and WAFCON 2024-winning coach Justin Madugu are nominated for Coach of the Year. Team of the Year contenders include Remo Stars FC, Rivers United FC and the Super Falcons.
Other categories see Godswill Akpabio Stadium and Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta nominated for Football Pitch of the Year, while BetNaija features in the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award category. Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State are shortlisted for Football Friendly Governor.
The organisers also confirmed the return of the Rashidi Yekini Award, which recognises the highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League.
Ahead of the 12th edition of the awards, organisers Lenders Consult International announced plans to introduce an annual sports conference to run alongside the ceremony. Nigeria Pitch Awards President, Shina Phillips, explained that the initiative is designed to expand the scope of the awards by encouraging dialogue, collaboration and investment within Nigeria’s sports ecosystem.
“We are pleased to announce our annual sports conference,” Phillips said. “It has been in the works for a long time and will feature both local and international speakers. Our aim is to renew national focus on sports while creating opportunities for administrators, investors and policymakers.”
The 2025 Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday, December 22, 2025, and will celebrate outstanding achievements by Nigerian footballers, coaches, administrators, sponsors and journalists over the past year.
In the media categories, nominees for Football Journalist of the Year (Print) are Abiodun Adewale (Punch Newspapers), Johnny Edward (The Nation Newspapers) and Charles Diya (New Telegraph Newspapers).
The Football Journalist of the Year (TV) category features Babatunde Koiki (News Central Television), Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV) and Mozez Praiz (SuperSport).
In women’s football, the Queen of the Pitch nominees are Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Féminine.
The King of the Pitch award will be contested by Ademola Lookman, Calvin Bassey and Victor Osimhen.
The 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony is expected to bring together key stakeholders in Nigerian football, as the organisers continue to promote excellence, credibility and transparency in celebrating achievements within the sport.
Sports
AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.
Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.
The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.
As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.
The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.
The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.
With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.
Africa is coming to Abuja.
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