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Ademola Lookman, Rasheedat Ajibade, Alex Iwobi, Gov. Umo Eno, Lagos State, MTN Are Winners Of 2024 Pitch Awards Winners

Super Eagles and Atalanta BC sensation, Ademola Lookman emerged winner of the Striker of the Year and King of the Pitch last night at the 11th award ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards. The ceremony, held after the World Cup Qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State also witnessed the crowning of Rasheedat Ajibade, Super Falcons and Atlético de Madrid Femenino forward as Queen of the Pitch.

 

While welcoming guests and awardees, Mr Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards reiterated organizers’ determination to sustain the core values and tempo of the awards. He pledged that the organizers would continue to demonstrate faith in our footballers and administrators by hosting the annual event notwithstanding the challenges encountered while doing so. He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles and other national teams.

 

In the Goalkeeper’s category, Chippa United goal stopper, Stanley Nwabali beat Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win the prize. Super Eagles Captain, William Troost-Ekong starved off competition from fellow teammates Ola Aina of Nottingham Forest FG 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 FG who appears to be in the form of his life. Iwobi has now won it for the third time.

 

The Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigeria Football has been one of the high points of previous Awards Ceremonies. Hon. Kunle Soname emerged 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 as Rangers International Coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu won the Coach of the Year award. Rangers International carted home the Team of the Year award.

 

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

Hon. Kunle Soname – Bet9ja

 

State With the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme 

Lagos State

 

Football Pitch of the Year 

Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium

 

Football Friendly Governor of the Year 

His Excellency, Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom State

 

Corporate Sponsor of Football Award 

MTN Nigeria

 

Sportsmanship Award 

Hon. 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

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G-Innovation Youngsters Hits Finland For Professional Football Careers

 

 

As the conveyor belts of the grassroots football factories gets lubricated, the products are gradually taking over the football shelves across the globe.

The latest talents are from the football factory of Lagos based non-league side, G-Innovation football club. The duo of Solomon Nwachuchuwu, a very energetic and attack-minded left-back and Israel Okienyi, a tall and highly rated goalkeeper have signed to join top premier league side AC Oulu in Finland.

The youngsters who were selected during a recently held football scouting tournament, brimmed with confidence as they departed Nigeria, expressing their desires and determination to make their grassroots club proud and of course, be good football ambassadors of Nigeria.

Speaking at their departure, President of G-Innovation FC, Chigozie Nwagwu, said he believes that the boys will shine and be worthy additions to their new team.

The youthful club owner added that his team, has a large pool of talented footballers who are equally ready for professional football.

Even as he went ahead to thanked his partners, particularly, Ude Dominic Egbukwu, the CEO of UDE Sports Agency, for the success achieved, so far.

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Spanish Giants Take Big Step In €60 million Rated Super Eagles Star Signing

Spanish Giants Take Big Step In €60 million Rated Ademola Lookman Pursuit

Barcelona, the Spanish LaLiga giant, has contacted the agent of Super Eagles star Ademola Lookman regarding a potential transfer this summer, according to Soccernet.ng.

Barcelona has been monitoring Lookman as a potential summer signing as they look to bolster their attack ahead of next season.

The Super Eagles star is expected to leave Atalanta summer. He has already attracted a lot of attention, and that is not a surprise, as he has contributed 50 goals and 24 assists in 115 appearances.

To get Lookman, Barcelona would have to outdo Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, and Nottingham Forest who are also interested in acquiring his services. Liverpool have also been reported to be in the mix.

Now, in a new development per Caught Offside, the Blaugrana have made a vital step to sign Lookman. Barcelona have contacted Lookman’s agent for a possible deal in the summer.

The Super Eagles star has a release clause of €60 million at Atalanta, and with the way that Barcelona have conducted their business for the last two years, they could still eke out the fee despite their financial challenges.

However, the wages could be the issue. Ademola Lookman currently earns just over €2 million per year at Atalanta. Currently, only four players make more than that at Barcelona. And the Spanish champions will be careful to keep their wage structure intact.

This might be an issue, as the other English clubs looking at Lookman could easily double or triple his wages. Moreover, since the 27-year-old grew up and played in England previously, he could have to favour a return there.

 

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Victor Osimhen: The €40M Transfer Race That’s Heating Up Europe

victor osimhen- sportsmarketinternational

Victor Osimhen is once again dominating headlines—this time, not just for his goal-scoring brilliance, but for a high-stakes transfer race drawing the eyes of Europe’s elite.

Currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, the Nigerian striker has been unstoppable, notching 31 goals this season and leading his team to their first Turkish Cup final in six years. His latest masterclass—a clinical strike in a 5–1 demolition of Konyaspor—has sent scouts, fans, and football directors into a frenzy.

But what’s next for the Super Eagles talisman?

Manchester United’s Game-Changer?

According to multiple sources, including Goal and TeamTalk, Manchester United have already reached an “agreement in principle” with Osimhen for a summer move. The deal is rumored to cost between €30M and €40M—an absolute bargain for a player of his caliber.

United see him as a “transformational signing”—a potential fix for their long-standing striker crisis and a spark to reignite their Premier League and Champions League ambitions.

PSG, Chelsea Join the Race

Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea aren’t far behind. With Kylian Mbappé heading to Real Madrid and Chelsea desperately needing firepower, Osimhen’s availability is turning heads. PSG is reportedly ready to go head-to-head with United for his signature, while Chelsea could swoop in with a late offer.

What This Means for the Market

Osimhen’s move—regardless of the destination—will reshape the 2025 summer transfer market. Clubs are on alert, agents are negotiating, and fans are watching every move.

He isn’t just a footballer; he’s a brand, a marketable figure, and a potential franchise centerpiece for any club smart enough to close the deal.

Stay tuned to Sports Market International for real-time updates, expert insights, and the stories that shape the global sports business.

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