Nigeria Pitch Awards: Mikel, Moses clash,Nkwocha, Oparanozie in race for Queen of Pitch

England-based stars John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, as well as power-playing Emmanuel Emenike have been nominated for the King of The Pitch award at the inaugural edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards taking place in Calabar on Saturday night.

BDO Professional Services, who are the independent verifying body for the Awards, on Monday officially released the results of the nominations made by sports media personalities, coaches,
ex-internationals, administrators and football fans.

Emenike, top scorer at the Africa Cup of Nations finals that Nigeria won in South Africa earlier in the year, scored the Super Eagles’ two goals in the 2-1 win over Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final qualifying fixture, which makes Saturday’s return with the Ethiopians in Calabar look like an easier session.

John Mikel Obi was key for club and country as the Super Eagles lifted the Africa Cup of Nations and Chelsea FC won the Europa Cup the season after lifting the UEFA Champions League.

Victor Moses, in his first tournament in Africa, dazzled exceedingly at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and was voted Nigeria’s player of the tournament. He was also on song for Chelsea in Europa Cup matches, before moving to Liverpool on loan at the end of last
season.

For the women’s category, strikers Desire Oparanozie and Perpetua Nkwocha are joined by defender Evelyn Nwabuoku in the battle for Queen of the Pitch gong. Nkwocha is a four-time African Woman Player of the Year.

In the Football-friendly Governor category, Governors Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State have been nominated.

Winners for these and 14 other categories will be announced at the grand Award Ceremony coming up at the Metropolitan Transcorp Hotel, Calabar on Saturday, hours after the Nigeria/Ethiopia World Cup qualifying match.