Emeka Obioma, a standout player from Enyimba FC, secured the Player of the Season award at the 2023 League Bloggers Awards (LBA) held on August 22nd.
The ceremony, graced by dignitaries, NPFL officials, players, coaches, and journalists, aimed to honor exceptional performers from the 2022/23 NPFL season.
Emeka Obioma’s remarkable performance saw him bag 16 goals, propelling Enyimba FC to a commendable third-place finish. His goal-scoring prowess not only contributed to his team’s success but also earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award.
The accolades didn’t stop there as other individuals and entities were also celebrated for their contributions to Nigerian football. Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars earned the title of Coach of the Season for his adept leadership that led his team to an impressive fourth-place position.
The LBA also recognized key players in various categories, including Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars) as the Best Goalkeeper, Nduka Junior (Remo Stars) as the Best Defender, Joseph Atule (Lobi Stars) as the Best Midfielder, and Umar Bala (Plateau United) as the NPFL Young Player of the Season.
Furthermore, awards were bestowed upon institutions that have championed football’s growth and development. Edo State Government received the Best in Government Sponsorship award for their support of Bendel Insurance, while Sterling Bank was honored with the Best in Brand Sponsorship of the Team award, also for Bendel Insurance.
The LBA’s spotlight extended globally as Albert Korvah (Rivers United) was recognized as the Best Foreign Player, and Robert Mizo (Bayelsa United) secured the Rookie of the Season title.
Obioma in a statement revealed that he had a great season in the NPFL last season.
“A lot of happy memories are attached to it. It was a great season in NPFL and also we became the champions and I was named the goal King, now emerging player of the season. The memories are still intact.
Thanks league bloggers” he posted on his timeline
This annual event, orchestrated by Nigerian football bloggers, aims to showcase the best of Nigerian football and foster its progression. The esteemed winners of the 2023 LBA, handpicked by a panel of experts including former players, coaches, and journalists, were evaluated on various criteria such as individual and team performances, and their contributions to the sport’s advancement.