The best of Nigerian football is leading nominations for the second edition of The Ballers Awards.
The award which is the brainchild of Naija Footballers will hold on Sunday, January 12, 2020, at the Radisson Blu in Victoria Island.
The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and the very best of Nigerian football has been nominated in several categories of the award.
Former Super Eagles striker Ighalo is the most-nominated player with four nominations. The striker who hung his national team boot after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where he finished as the highest goal-scorer with five goals is in for the Forward of the Year, Player of the Year, Humanitarian Player of the Year and Goal of the Year.
"We need to celebrate and reward excellence in Nigerian football and footballers with the highest glamour it deserves," Gbenga Salu, organiser of the awards told Pulse Sports.
The awards’ show which is strictly by invitation, will also be broadcast on HIPTV and streamed live on Youtube and Facebook.
Nigerian comedian Funnybone will be the host alongside sportscaster Debola Adebanjo.
Full Nominations
Revelation of the year
Cyriel Dessers, Chidera Ejuke, Leke James, Ebere Eze, Bukayo Saka
Goalkeeper of the year
Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi, Adamu Abubakar
Defender Of The Year
William Troost Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Ola Aina
Midfielder of the year
Joe Aribo, Ndidi Wilfred, Iwobi Alex, Oghenekaro Etebo, Azubuike Okechukwu
Forward of the year
Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu, Ahmed Musa
Footballer of the year (Male)
Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost-Ekong
Footballer of the year (Female)
Onome Ebi, Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie
Humanitarian Baller of the year
Odion Ighalo, Asisat Oshoala, Ahmed Musa
Most Promising Baller of the year
Tijani Samson (17), Amoo Akinkunmi (17), Sunusi Ibrahim (20), Sa'id Ibrahim (16), Alhassan Yusuf (19)
Best Local Based Player
Ibrahim Sunusi, Mfon Udoh, Ifeanyi Anemena, Samuel Mathias, Sikiru Alimi
Coach Of The Year
Gernot Rohr, Thomas Dennerby, Usman Abdallah, Manu Garba
Best Eleven Of The Year
Akpeyi, Ola Aina, Omeruo, William Troost-Ekong, Chidozie Awaziem, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo, Samuel Chukwueze, Odion Ighalo, Victor Osimhen
Industry Icon Award
Larry Izamoje
Super Eagles Goal Of The Year
Samuel Kalu vs Benin, Paul Onuachu vs Egypt, Odion Ighalo vs Burundi, Joe Aribo vs Brazil, Moses Simon vs Seychelles