Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has expressed joy after bagging the Achievement in Football Award in the country at the just concluded 5th Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Pitch Awards held in Port Harcourt.
The visibly excited soccer tactician thanked the organizers and said the award will go a long way in boosting his morale towards repositioning Nigerian football.
He excitedly announced that the Super Eagles team would be the youngest at the World Cup and again stressed that his boys had the character and discipline to succeed at the summer competition.
Rohr the Super Eagles gaffer while also receiving the King of the Pitch trophy on behalf of Victor Moses revealed that he had given the player time off to celebrate his first wedding anniversary and to take some rest. Raising the trophy up, he praised the voters’ choice of Victor Moses as the King of the Pitch and hoped the award would inspire others to work harder.
Victor Moses and Asisat Oshoala were named King and Queen of the Pitch respectively. Amaju Pinnick won the Sam Okwaraji Award for commitment to Nigerian football. He garnered a total of 47 points to defeat his closest contestant who scored 21 points.
Speaking at the event, Pinnick commended the organizers of the awards stressing that it was not easy to organise and award ceremony. He dedicated his award to his team of Shehu Dikko, Seyi Akinwunmi and Aisha Falode.
Other winners of the night are: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Ifeanyi Ubah FC) – Goalkeeper of the Year; Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05) – Defender of the Year; Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City FC) – Midfielder of the Year; Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars FC) – Striker of the Year; Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars FC) – MVP (Men) in the NPFL; Rasheedat Ajibade (FC Robo) – MVP (Women) in the NPFL; Kennedy Boboye (Plateau United) – Coach of the Year; Plateau United FC – Team of the Year; Ferdinand Udoh – Referee of the Year; Lagos State – State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme and His Excellency Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom State) – Football Friendly Governor of the Year.
Others are Aiteo Group – Corporate Sponsor of Football Award; Tana Aiyejina (Punch Newspapers) – Football Journalist of the Year (Print); Olawale Adigun (Top Radio FM) – Football Journalist of the Year (Radio); Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels TV) – Football Journalist of the Year (Television); His Excellency Nyeson Ezenwo Wike, Governor of Rivers State- Special Achievement in Football Award; Aisha Falode – Achievement in Football Award and Channels Kids Cup – Achievement in Football Award.
