Lobi Stars striker Anthony Okpotu and Duke Udi of Sunshine Stars have emerged the Player and Manager for the month of July in the Nigeria Professional Football League respectively.
Okpotu and Udi were named winners for the monthly recognition organised by the League Bloggers Awards on Tuesday for their outstanding performances in July.
The Lobi Stars forward claimed the player’s award ahead of Gombe United youngster Sani Abbani, Akwa United’s Musa Newman and Godwin Obaje of FC Ifeanyiubah.
Okpotu, who was also among the shortlists for the June award, accounted for half of his club’s eight goals in July and provided two assists. The Lobi scored in four consecutive matches.
He scored against the league champions Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars in home games while his other goals were on the road at Katsina United and Enyimba.
In the manager’s category, Udi finished ahead of Fidelis Ilechukwu of MFM, Fatai Amoo of 3SC and Akwa United’s Abdu Maikaba.
Udi led Sunshine Stars through six matches in July and guided them to four wins and two defeats. Only MFM FC under Ilechukwu matched the record of Sunshine Stars in that month.
However, Udi’s men won two matches on the road – defeating ABS FC 4-2 in Ilorin and Rivers United 1-0 in Port Harcourt – to help him claim the manager’s prize for July.
Okpotu and Udi will be honoured at a later by the LBA.