WATCH THE VIDEO HERE 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 Europa League winner — ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 16, 2024 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 Defender of the Year Midfielder of the Year Striker of the Year Team of the Year Coach Of the Year Sam Okwaraji Award State With the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme Football Pitch of the Year Football Friendly Governor of the Year Corporate Sponsor of Football Award Sportsmanship Award Football Journalist of the Year – Print Football Journalist of the Year – TV Football Journalist of the Year – Radio Football Journalist of the Year – Online Queen of the Pitch King Of the Pitch
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
Stanley Nwabali – Chippa United
William Troost-Ekong – Al-kholood FC
Alex Iwobi – Fulham FC
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta BC
Rangers International FC
Fidelis Ilechukwu – Rangers Intl FC
Hon. Kunle Soname – (Remo Stars founder)
Lagos State
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium
His Excellency, Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom State
MTN Nigeria
Hon. Kunle Soname – Chairman, Remo Stars
Charles Diya – New Telegraph Newspapers
Cecilia Omorogbe – Channels TV
Anthony Bekederemo – Brila 88.9 FM
Samuel Ahmadu – Savid News
Rasheedat Ajibade – Atlético de Madrid Femenino
Ademola Lookman – Atalanta BC.
FULL LIST: Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman claims two crowns at 11th Nigeria Pitch Awards
