We went through rigorous poll to get winners, says Phillips

Chief Executive Officer of Matchmakers Consult, Shina Philips, whose outfit recently midwived the much acclaimed Nigeria Pitch Awards, has revealed that getting the winners in the various categories was not an easy task.

Reflecting on the awards, which has continued receive encomium as the best Nigerian football has seen in recent years, Philip said his company decided to involve a highly reputable auditing firm to sieve through the numerous votes because “we wanted to do a professional job.”

He added, “When we set out for this project, we looked at the best of its kind around the world because we wanted to give Nigerians an award that would not generate controversy.

That was why we approached SIAO Partners because they have the reputation of being among the best in their profession in this part of the world.

“WE also got sports editors and managers of the major media organisations, football stakeholders and fans to vote in the various categories.

At the end of the voting, we gave the papers to SIAO Partners, which after a thorough job returned the names of the winners and how they won to us. That was what we presented to Nigerians in Kaduna at the weekend.”

At the second Nigeria Pitch Awards, Super Eagles Captain, Vincent Enyeama and new Super Falcons sensation, Asisat Oshoala, emerged King and Queen of the Pitch respectively at the event held shortly after Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Chad in Kaduna on Saturday. The Award Ceremony, which was for the 2014 season drew eminent personalities in the Nigerian football community.

Among dignitaries at the event were Amaju Pinnick, the NFF President, Shehu Dikko, second vice President, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Barrister Chris Green, High Chief Emeka Inyanma, Shehu Kawu and other top brass of the NFF. Barrister Dan Abia, the MD/CEO of the NDDC, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Managing Partner of SIAO Partners, Bassey Eyo of Payporte.com, Amb. Ebi Egbe and the BBA Runners Up, Tayo Faniran top the list of special guests who graced the occasion.

In the players’ category, Enyeama clinched the Best Goalkeeper Award while Kenneth Omeruo and Ogenyi Onazi emerged Best Defender and Midfielder respectively. Ahmed Musa beat Ike Uche and Mfon Udoh to the Striker of the Year Award.

Kano Pillars again emerged the Club of the Year; Okey Emordi, the Coach of the Year; Ferdinand Udoh, Best Referee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu of Enyimba FC the Manager of the Year and John Shittu, the Players’ Agent of the Year.

In other categories, Senator Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State picked up the Football Friendly Governor for 2014 and Lagos State, for the second time running, won the State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme.