Babadidi, Ogbe win January awards
by George Akpayen 08 February 2012, 07:58
Gombe United duo of Mustapha Babadidi and Bernard Ogbe has been picked as the NPL Player and Manager for January respectively.
The two men were named winners for the month of January by the organisers of the Naija Premier League Awards.
Babadidi and Ogbe were picked as the best performers for the first month of this season's top flight in Nigeria based on their outstanding display for table-topping Gombe United.
Teenage striker, Babadidi scored high points for his output in Gombe United's impressive start, as he also bagged a hat-trick in his side's 3-1 win over Niger Tornadoes.
"I'm happy with this award and it is going to serve as a way to help me realise that people are watching and I need to give my best every time I play for Gombe United," Babadidi said.
He edged the like of Azuka Ebinum (Niger Tornadoes), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Ini Akpan (Akwa United), Femi Thomas (Akwa United), Josiah Maduabuchi (Enyimba) and Sanusi Sani (Gombe United) for the January Player of the Month award.
Ogbe clearly earned his thunder as Manager for the month of January by leading Gombe United to an unbeaten start this season.
He has also ensured that the Desert Scorpions remain the only side this term to have secured an away win.
In January, Gombe United dropped points only at 3SC but defeated Lobi Stars, Niger Tornadoes and Kaduna United.
"I must say I have never been honoured this way in the league since I became a coach. It is the first of its kind and I want to say to the organisers of this awards that they should continue as this is encouraging to us, the coaches and the players," Ogbe remarked.
Babadidi and Ogbe were presented with certificates for Player and Manager of January accordingly in Port Harcourt on Sunday before their game against champions, Dolphins.
The Naija Premier League Awards is organised by three top Nigerian football blogs, Naijapremierleague.net, Naijafootball247.com and Naijaligue.blogspot.com.
The copyright of the Naija Premier League Monthly Awards for players and managers is also reserved to the three organisations.