The Aiteo/NFF Awards held to major buzz Monday night and many football players went home with well-deserved awards. Not just them though, other people were recognised for their achievements in the sports as well.
Super Eagles stand-in captain, Ahmed Musa, was the biggest winner in the 2nd edition of the Award ceremony, for winning the Player of the Year award ahead of his national teammates, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi. His impressive goal against Iceland at the World Cup also earned him the Goal of the season award.
Austin Okocha collected the award on behalf of the Assistant Super Eagles captain.
For Player of Year (Women Category), Onome Ebi was voted the winner ahead of her teammates Asisat Oshoala and Francesca Ordega.
In the first award of the night, Anam Imo was voted as the Young Player of the Year in the Women category ahead of Rasheedat Ajibade.
In the Men’s category, Samuel Chukwueze who plays his club football in Spain was voted as the winner of the Young Player of the Year ahead of the duo of Victor Osimhen and Henry Onyekuru.
For the coach of the year (Women category) the Super Falcons gaffer, Thomas Dennerby, emerged as the winner while Enugu Rangers’ Gbenga Ogunbote was voted winner in the Men Category ahead of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.
One of the highpoints of the night was the special recognition accorded to the Super Eagles class of 1994.
The likes of Taribo West, Ben Iroha, Finidi George, Mutiu Adepoju, Daniel Amokachi, Uche Okechukwu, Agustine Equavoen, Peter Rufai, Alloy Agu, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Samson Siasia, Nduka Ugbade, Edema Fuludu and Rashidi Yekini’s daughter were all present to receive their awards.
The late MKO Abiola was also honoured alongside FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura, in Monday’s ceremony.
Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode was also awarded a lifetime achievement accolade.
See Full Lists Of Winners below:
Player of the Year (men): Ahmed Musa
Player of the Year (women): Onome Ebi
Coach of the Year (men) Gbenga Ogunbote
Coach of the Year (women) Thomas Dennerby
Young Player of the Year (men): Samuel Chukuweze
Young Player of the Year (women) Anam Imo
Team of the Season: Super Falcons
Fairplay Award, Akwa United
Goal of the Season Ahmed Musa
Fans of the Season Kano Pillars
NFF Development Award: Channels Television
NFF Order of Merit Award: MKO Abiola
Lifetime Achievement Award: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode
By Oluwatoyin Adeleye