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Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman has been named King of the Pitch and Striker of the Year at the 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards, cementing his status as one of Nigeria’s brightest footballing stars, Footynaija.com reports.
The awards ceremony, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Akwa Ibom following Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, also saw Super Falcons star Rasheedat Ajibade claim the Queen of the Pitch accolade.
Super Eagles players surprise Ademola Lookman with a cake to celebrate him winning the 2024 African Player of the year award! pic.twitter.com/sz7uRpgnzr
— (@Entdaily001) March 24, 2025
Lookman, who played a crucial role in Nigeria’s run to the AFCON final and guided Atalanta to Europa League glory, succeeded last year’s winner, Victor Osimhen, to claim the top individual prize.
The 27-year-old’s stellar form had already earned him CAF’s African Footballer of the Year award, making it back-to-back wins for Nigeria, following Osimhen’s triumph in 2023.
ADEMOLA LOOKMAN IS NAMED THE 2024 CAF MEN’S AFRICAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 16, 2024
Europa League winner
Atalanta Player of the Season
Named in Europa League Team of the Year
⚽️ Hat trick vs. Leverkusen in the Europa League final
⚽️ 18 G/A in Serie A last season
⚽️ 16 G/A in… pic.twitter.com/jsjMZkZQfu
Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali edged Udinese’s Maduka Okoye and Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole to win Goalkeeper of the Year, while Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong claimed Defender of the Year for the fourth time, beating Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey.
Fulham’s Alex Iwobi, enjoying one of the best seasons of his career, secured Midfielder of the Year ahead of Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.
In the non-playing categories, Kunle Soname received the Sam Okwaraji Award for his dedication to Nigerian football, while MTN retained the Corporate Sponsor of Football award. Rangers International’s Fidelis Ilechukwu was named Coach of the Year, with his team also winning Team of the Year.
In journalism, Samuel Ahmadu (Savid News), Charles Diya (New Telegraph), Cecilia Omorogbe (Channels TV), and Tony Bekederemo (Brila Sports Radio) took home top awards in their respective media categories.
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 – (Remo Stars founder)
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.
