Our correspondent reports that Ighalo, who replaced Kelechi Ihanacho in the second half of the match between Nigeria and Argentina in the ongoing World Cup in Russia, failed to convert a through pass from Ahmed Musa had incurred the anger of fans.

It was reported that most Nigerian fans strongly believed that if Ighalo had scored the goal, it would have seen the Super Eagles through to the Round of 16 of the World Cup.

Speaking through his Social Media timeline, Ighalo, who was involved in Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup, said that he regretted not scoring the crucial goal.

“It is a great experience to play at the World Cup and I enjoyed every moment of it, but sometimes things don’t work the way you want.

“But life has to go on, I am grateful to God I did not sustain any injury,’’ he said.

It was reported that after the match which generated a lot of ill-comments from fans, the Changchun Yatai F.C. of China’s striker, apologised to Nigerians and assumed personal responsibility for the blunder.

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In his address, NFF President, Amaju Pinnick thanked the Governor of Kaduna State Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for honouring the invitation of the Federation and organisers to attend the ceremony even at short notice.

Speaking further, Pinnick said ‘the Nigeria Football Federation has been partnering them (the Organisers) and the award has been very  spot on; if you are a winner, you should be very proud to say you are a winner’.

Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards thanked the President of NFF, Pinnick, dignitaries, voters, nominees and winners.

He specially singled out the media for their unprecedented support and commitment to the cause of Nigerian football.

The 2015 Special Achievement Awards went to His Excellency, Nasir El-Rufai; Barrister Solomon Dalong, Honourable Minister of Youth; Sir Mike Okiro, Chairman Police Service Commission and Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF General Secretary.

Samson Siasia was honoured with the Football Achievement Award.

Pinnick, the NFF President,; Super Eagles Captain, John Obi Mikel and Segun Odegbami received the Sam Okwaraji Award for Commitment to Nigerian Football.

The other winners are: Goal Keeper of the Year IkechukwuEzenwa (Sunshine Stars); Defender of the Year, ChineduUdoji (Enyimba FC); Midfielder of the Year, Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars) and Striker of the Year, Odion Ighalo (Watford FC).

Others are Rasheedi Yekini Award, Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves FC); MVP (Men) in the NPFL, Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves FC); MVP (Women) in the NPFL, Ngozi Ebere (Rivers Angels FC); Club of the Year, Enyimba FC; Team of the Year, Golden Eaglet s;  Coach of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke (U-17 Golden Eaglets); Manager of the Year, Kadiri Ikhana (Enyimba FC); Referee of the Year, Ferdinand Udoh and Player’s Agent of the Year, John Olatunji Shittu.

State with the Best Grassroots Football Development Programme, Lagos State; Football Friendly Governor, His Excellency Gov. Nyesom Wike (Rivers State); Football Journalist of the Year (Print), Tana Aiyejina   (Punch Newspapers); Football Journalist of the Year (Radio), Godwin Enakhena (Top Radio); Football Journalist of the Year (TV), Austin Okon-Akpan (Channels Television) and Corporate Sponsor of Football, Globacom (Gold), Guinness (Silver) and Supersport (Bronze).

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