It was a night of excellence at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre in Benin City on Wednesday when the Edo State Football Association held its maiden awards.

The creme de la creme of Nigerian football were present or ably represented at the state-of-the-art complex as awards were dished out to players of Edo origin, as well as officials, football personalities, the media, and corporate bodies who have stood out in the course of 2015 and previously, in bringing glamour to football in the state.

The big award of the night went to in-form Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo, who won the Player of the Year award.

The wife of the attacker, Mrs. Joy Ighalo, flew in from their UK base to receive the award on his behalf from the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon.

Players from Edo State who were part of the Golden Eaglets that recently won the cadet World Cup in Chile were also given award plaques as recognition of their bringing glory to the state. They included absent Victor Osimhen (who also won the Young Player of the Year award), Joel Osikhena, Lukman Zakari and Amos Benjamin.

Coach Kadhiri Ikhana, who just led Enyimba of Aba to win the Nigeria Premier League, was named Coach of the Year.

Former under-17 national coaches Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen, Fanny Amun and Godwin Izilien, as well as former Super Eagles Coach Shaibu Amodu were named Outstanding Coaches of All Time.

Youth teams from Edo State and their officials, as well as grassroots football sponsors, took a place of pride at the night of excellence.

BJ Foundation FC and their coach Douglas Idahosa won the Youth Team of the Year and Youth Coach of The Year awards respectively. The club had a very successful 2015 season, winning the Edo FA Cup and reaching the quarter-finals of the Federation Cup.

Teenage attacker Francis Ikpomwonsa of BJ Foundation picked up the FA Cup Young Player of The Year award.

Barrister Emmanuel Usoh scooped the Grassroots Organiser of the Year award.

•Sourced from DailySportsng.com. Photo by Nelson Dafe shows Mrs. Joy Ighalo (extreme left) posing with her husband’s Player of the Year award. Second from right is Young Player of the Year winner Francis Ikpomwonsa.

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