Four players and four head coaches in the Nigeria Professional Football League have been listed to vie for the February edition of the League Bloggers Awards.
According to Wednesday’s announcement of the nominees, Kwara United forward Stephen Alfred, Enugu Rangers goalkeeper Femi Thomas, Isaac Giwa of Wikki Tourists and winner of the January edition, Junior Lokosa of Kano Pillars will contend for the player’s award for February award.
Despite Kwara United’s struggles in the division, Alfred stood out in the month under review, scoring three times – twice in the 3-3 draw at Nasarawa United and once in the 2-1 success over Katsina United.
Rangers stopper Thomas squeezed his way into the shortlist on the back of clean sheet performances against El-Kanemi Warriors, Abia Warriors and Rivers United on the spin.
He also put in tip-top display in the 1-1 draw with Kano Pillars and the one-nil loss to title-holders Plateau United.
Wikki left-back Giwa produced one of the eye-catching displays though his team’s results hardly replicated his performance.
The former Gombe United man weighed in with two assists as Wikki won once, drew once and lost twice in February.
NPFL leading scorer Lokosa continued his fine form of January into February.
He scored three goals in four games helping his club to an unbeaten finish.
The ex-First Bank FC striker showed he is also the man for the big occasion, scoring against MFM FC, Enyimba and Rangers.
Gbenga Ogunbote of Rangers, Enyimba’s Paul Aigbogun, Ramson Madu of Heartland and Stanley Eguma of Rivers United are all in line for the manager’s prize.
In five games, Ogunbote led Rangers to two wins, two draws and a defeat.
This included an away point in the southeast derby against Abia Warriors.
Enyimba under Aigbogun finished February unbeaten in four matches – taking eight points from two wins and two draws including draws at El-Kanemi (0-0) and Kano Pillars (1-1) being the highlight of it all.
Eguma and Madu led Rivers United and Heartland to away wins at Kwara United and Niger Tornadoes respectively as their teams won the most number of matches (three apiece) in the month under review.
Despite Heartland’s struggles this season, February was a buoyant month for them as only Rivers United equalled their nine point tally.
Winners in the player and manager categories will be announced by LBA next week.
THE NOMINEES
PLAYERS
Stephen Alfred (Kwara United)
Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars)
Isaac Giwa (Wikki Tourists)
Femi Thomas (Enugu Rangers)
MANAGERS
Gbenga Ogunbote (Enugu Rangers)
Paul Aigbogun (Enyimba)
Ramson Madu (Heartland)
Stanley Eguma (Rivers United).