Warri Wolves have emerged as the only club to scoop double honours at the April/May 2025 Nigeria National League (NNL) Excellence Awards, scheduled to take centre stage on 18 June 2025 at the prestigious West Point Hotel, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja, Completesports.com reports.
The event, according to the organisers, celebrates outstanding performances in Nigeria’s second-tier football league, the NNL, and recognises individuals and teams who excelled in various categories over the two-month period.
In this regard, Warri Wolves stand tall with a double awards win – Coach Napoleon Aluma and goalkeeper Efevwerha Joke both clinching top honours.
Aluma scooped the Best Coach award for the period under review, while Joke was named Best Goalkeeper.
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The event, organised by the NNL in collaboration with Prostar Sports and Sportlight Hub, aims to recognise individual performers who, through hard work and brilliance, added colour to what is described as the ‘most important league in Nigeria’ during the period in question.
Meanwhile, the hierarchy of Edel FC have eulogised their forward, Gukut Merpring Chindi, following his emergence as the Highest Goal Scorer award winner for April. Chindi scored three goals and provided an assist in four games during the month.
“I’m happy for our striker, Gukut Chindi Merpring, who has been named the highest goal scorer in the Nigeria National League (NNL) for the month of April,” Edel FC Team Manager, Michael Chukwuebuka, told Completesports.com, adding that the striker “has shown willingness to learn and improve.”
“In the month under consideration, he scored three goals in four games and provided one assist in the process.
“Even in the month of May, when we played only two games, he scored once and created another. Just last weekend, he scored again to take his tally to five goals in about seven games.
“His goals and overall contributions were key to our escaping the drop zone. Like other players, he played his part positively in the second round of the season.
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“And I’m pleased for him that he is getting the recognition he deserves. It’s an honour well deserved,” the Edel boss concluded.
Completesports.com checks reveal that other awards lined up for the 18 June event include:
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Highest Goal Scorer:
Gukut M. Chindi – Edel FC -
Best Goalkeeper:
Efevwerha Joke – Warri Wolves FC -
Best Coach:
Napoleon Aluma – Warri Wolves FC -
Best Behaved Team:
Sokoto United FC -
Most Valuable Player (MVP):
Valentine Ugwu – Solution FC -
Goal of the Month:
Shamasu Mohammed – Barau FC
“Officials from the NFF, NNL, Prostar Sports, club representatives, and football stakeholders are expected to attend the ceremony, which continues to build momentum and recognition for Nigeria’s domestic football ecosystem,” a statement from the second-tier league body read in part.
By Sab Osuji
