NPFL Top Scorer, Anas, to Battle Osimhen, Lookman for Nigeria Pitch Award Honour

Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) top scorer, Anas Yusuf of Nasarawa United FC is set to give his more illustrious Nigerian forwards, Ademola Lookman of Atlético de Madrid and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen a run for their money in the race for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year at the 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards Ceremony. The 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards Ceremony, which had been scheduled for earlier in the year, is to hold on Tuesday, 8th September 2026, at the Ibis Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos. 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. 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. There are other categories of awards to be given out at the ceremony. Speaking ahead of the award, President of Nigeria Pitch Awards, Dr. Shina Phillips, stressed that 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. ALL THE AWARD CATEGORIES 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.