Nigeria Pitch Awards: Osimhen, Ajibade win King & Queen

The Nigeria Pitch Awards will introduce an Emerging Star category at its next edition as organisers seek to strengthen grassroots football development and recognise the country’s most promising young talents.

President of the Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, announced the new category at the 12th edition of the ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, where Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade emerged as the best Nigerian male and female footballers for 2025.

Osimhen, who plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray, was named King of the Pitch, while Ajibade, now with French side Paris Saint-Germain, claimed the Queen of the Pitch award.

The Galatasaray forward also won the Rashidi Yekini Award for Striker of the Year to complete a double on the night.

However, the introduction of the Emerging Star Award is expected to be one of the major talking points ahead of the next edition, with the organisers targeting players below the age of 18.

“From the next edition, we will include a category named Emerging Star Award to identify and honour Nigeria’s most enterprising and promising football starlet.

“To emerge as a winner in this category, a nominee must be below the age of 18. This will serve to boost the competitive spirit at the grassroots,” Philips said.

The new category is part of efforts by the awards to deepen their focus on youth development while providing recognition for young players making an impact at the grassroots.

Other Super Eagles stars were also recognised at the ceremony, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali winning Goalkeeper of the Year, Fulham defender Calvin Bassey named Defender of the Year and his club teammate Alex Iwobi taking the Midfielder of the Year award.

In the coaching category, Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu was named Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in Morocco during the year under review.

Nigeria Premier Football League champions in the 2024/25 season, Remo Stars won Team of the Year.

Bet9ja chairman Kunle Soname received the Sam Okwaraji Award as well as the Sportsmanship Award.

The Sam Okwaraji Award honours individuals, former internationals, coaches or administrators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and patriotism in supporting, sponsoring, playing for or serving Nigeria’s national teams.

The Special Achievement in Sports Award was jointly presented to the Nigeria Police Force and the Niger Delta Development Commission, while Lagos State was recognised for having the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme.

The Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, won Football Pitch of the Year, while Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno was named Football Friendly Governor of the Year.

MTN Nigeria received the Corporate Sponsor of Football Award.

In the media categories, Charles Diya of New Telegraph won Football Journalist of the Year – Print, while Channels Television’s Cecilia Omorogbe won the television category.

Anthony Bekederemo of Brila 88.9 FM was named Football Journalist of the Year – Radio, while Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News/Nigeriafootball.ng won the online category.