Moses and Ndidi shortlisted for player of the year in first ever annual NFF awards

SUPER Eagles Premiership stars Victor Moses and Wilfred Ndidi along with Lobi Stars striker Anthony Okpotu have been shortlisted to receive the top prize at the first ever Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) awards due to take place tomorrow.

At the gala dinner taking place in Lagos on February 19, the three players have been listed to receive the Men’s Player of the Year award. Okpotu, was the leading scorer in the Nigeria Professional Football League last season, scoring 19 times for Lobi Stars, while Moses and Ndidi have been ever-presents for Chelsea and Leicester City in the English Premiership this season.

Moses played a key role as Chelsea won the Premier League title and progressed to the final of the FA Cup last season, while Ndidi has impressed since joining Leicester from Racing Genk in January 2017. Both players were among the star men as the Super Eagles qualified for the 2018 World Cup with a game to spare.

In the other categories, Asisat Oshoala is the overwhelming favourite for the Women’s Player of the Year award after being nominated alongside Charity Reuben and Francisca Ordega, while Whye Ogbonna, Edwin Okon and Ann Chiejine will contest the Coach of the Year Women's prize. In the men’s coaching category, Kennedy Boboye has been nominated following his successes with Plateau United but he will have to see off competition from Abdu Maikaba and Fidelis Ilechukwu.

Stephen Odey, Nura Mohammed and Ikouwem Utim have been nominated for the Men’s Young Player of the Year award, while Plateau United, Akwa United and MFM FC will contest the Team of the Year award. For the women’s Team of the Year prize, Rivers Angels, Nasarawa Amazons and Ibom Angels have been nominated, while the Goal of the Season will be contested between Sikiru Olatunbosun, Shedrack Asiegbu and Oche Salifu.

Meanwhile, former Super Eagles captain and coach, Sunday Oliseh said Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi are two Nigerian players to watch out for at the 2018 World Cup. Oliseh who unceremoniously quit the Super Eagles coaching role introduced Ndidi and Iwobi to the national team.