Nigeria Pitch Awards: Ademola Lookman crowned as 2025 'King of the Pitch'

Posted : 26 March 2025

Ademola Lookman, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, has once again added to his accomplishments as he emerged as the 2024/2025 King of the Pitch at an award ceremony in Uyo.

The Super Eagles and Atalanta BC sensation, Ademola Lookman, won the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch awards at the 11th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.

The prestigious Nigeria Pitch Awards ceremony was held after the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

The 11th award ceremony, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, also witnessed the crowning of Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons forward, as Queen of the Pitch.

Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, restated the organizers’ commitment to sustaining the core values and momentum of the awards.

He also pledged that the organizers would continue to demonstrate faith in Nigerian footballers and administrators by hosting the annual event, despite the challenges encountered.

"While doing this, we appeal to Nigerians to continue supporting the Super Eagles and other national teams," he said.

In the Goalkeeper category, Chippa United's goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali, beat Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win the prize.

Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong, fended off competition from fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC to emerge Defender of the Year for the fourth time.

In the Midfielder of the Year category, Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi and FC Augsburg’s Frank Onyema could not stop Alex Iwobi of Fulham FC, who has now won it for the third time.

The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football has been one of the highlights of previous award ceremonies.

Kunle Soname emerged the winner for the second time, having outscored Nigerian ex-international Segun Odegbami and former Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa.

Telecom giant MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award, while Rangers International Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu won the Coach of the Year award. Rangers International also won the Team of the Year award.

In the media category, Samuel Ahmadu of Savid News emerged as the winner of the Football Journalist of the Year - Online. Other winners include Charles Diya of New Telegraph Newspapers, who was named Football Journalist of the Year - Print, Cecilia Omorogbe of Channels TV, who won Football Journalist of the Year - TV, and Tony Bekederemo of Brila Sports Radio, who was voted Football Journalist of the Year - Radio.

Full List of Winners:

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 International 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 - Atlético de Madrid Femenino

King of the Pitch: Ademola Lookman - Atalanta BC

Nigeria Pitch Awards: Ademola Lookman crowned as 2025 'King of the Pitch'

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