The 2021 nominees for Nigeria’s Ballers Award, an annual event that “honours and appreciate the exemplary achievements of Nigerian footballers for their exploits in the preceding year”, have been revealed in Lagos.
Last year’s event, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, included winners like Cyriel Dessers (“Revelation of the year”), William Troost-Ekong (“Defender of the year”) and Daniel Akpeyi (“Goalkeeper of the year), among others.
This year’s event will be the 3rd edition and promises to be bigger and better than the previous one. According to the organisers, it will be viewed by over 3,000,000 people on some major TV stations and social media platforms across Africa and the World.
The Awards in their second year is powered by Naija Footballers platform, a transformational digital and social media platform that tracks the performances and stories of Nigerian Footballers. Here are the nominees:
BALLERS AWARD CATEGORIES & NOMINATION
Revelation of the year
Maduka Okoye
Noni Madueke
Tolu Arokodare
Zaidu sanusi
Goalkeeper of the year.
Daniel Akpeyi
Maduka Okoye
Matthew Yakubu
Defender of the year
Leon Balogun
Zaidu Sanusi
Ola Aina
Chigozie Awaziem
Midfielder of the year
Joe Aribo
Frank Onyeka
Wilfred Ndidi
Mikel Obi
Forward of the Year
Paul Onuachu
Victor Osimhen
Simy Nwankwo
Junior Ajayi
Baller of the Year (Male)
Paul Onuachu
Victor Osimhen
Leon Balogun
Joe Aribo
Baller of the Year (Female)
Asisat Oshoala
Ajibade Rasheedat
Uchenna Kanu
Journalist of the Year
Ndubuisi Egbo
Journalist of the Year
Oma Akatugba
Fisayo Dairo
Oluwashina Okeleji
Debola Adebanjo
Shina Oludare
Olawale Adigun
Solace Chukwu
Fans’ Favourite Baller Of The Year
Samuel Chukwueze
Victor Osimhen
Ahmed Musa
Paul Onuachu
Asisat Oshoala
Maduka Okoye
Odion Ighalo
John Ogu
Wilfred Ndidi
Mikel Obi