The League Bloggers Awards (LBA) end-of-season ceremony, on Tuesday, produced winners in 13 categories that covered the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria National League (NNL) and the Nigeria Women’s Premier League (NWPL).
Ten players, one club and one coach were named winners in the different categories during the award night at the Sheraton Hotel in Lagos though one of the categories – the NPFL Highest Goalscorer award – had long been decided.
Last season’s top scorer in the NPFL, Anthony Okpotu of Lobi Stars with 19 goals, added the LBA Player of the Season to the Highest Goalscorer award to cap an eventful night.
Plateau United winger, Peter Eneji was named Best New Player in the NPFL ahead of – Chinedu Udechukwu of Katsina United, Destiny Ashadi of Katsina United, Oche Salefu of Remo Stars and Wasiu Alalade of ABS FC.
MFM FC’s Benin Republic star, Giscard Tchatto claimed the Best Foreign Player, also in the top division. He got the award ahead of Kodjovi Dadzie of Akwa United, Fatau Dauda of Enyimba and FC Ifeanyiubah goalkeeper, Idrissa Bamba.
Nasarawa United goalkeeper, Suraj Ayeleso beat the trio of Akwa United’s Olorunleke Ojo, Mustapha Aliko of Niger Tornadoes and Dele Ajiboye of Plateau United to emerge Best NPFL Goalkeeper.
Daniel Itodo and Ikechukwu Ibenegbu were named Best NPFL Defender and Midfielder respectively.
In the two new categories, FC Robo’s Rasheedat Ajibade won the NWPL Player of the Season while Kwara United striker, Michael Ohanu emerged the NNL Player of the Season.
Sikiru Olatunbosun of MFM FC won the Goal of the Season in the NPFL for his eye-catching strike against former league champions, Enugu Rangers, and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who played for FC Ifeanyiubah last season, got the Best NPFL-based National Team Player award.
Plateau United won the Club of the Year and their trainer Kennedy Boboye got the award of Coach of the Year.
