Ali, Eteba, Udoji vie for LBA gong

The trio of Rabiu Ali, Oghenekaro Etebo and Chinedu Udoji have been nominated for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Player of the Season in the 2013 League Bloggers Awards (LBA).
In the course of last season in the NPFL, otherwise known as the Glo Premier League, the three players helped their clubs finish in the top six of the standings.
The LBA panel has adjudged the trio as the frontrunners for the men to watch during this year's edition of the annual awards for the Nigerian top flight.
"For this year, the nominees for the Player of the Season are Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars), Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves) and Chinedu Udoji (Enyimba)," part of the statement from the LBA read.
Last year, Gabriel Reuben won the Player of the Season while with Kano Pillars.
There are 17 categories in the 2013 LBA from which players, coaches and clubs will be honoured including the highest goalscorer category that will go to Nasarawa United striker, Victor Namo, who scored 19 goals.
The LBA has added seven new categories to this year's edition. The additions include the Best Use of Social Media for clubs, Best Club Website, Fair Play Award, Best New Goalkeeper, Best Draft from Feeder Team, Best Feeder Team (Youth Development) and Goal of the Season.
Winners of each category will be announced at the awards night in Lagos this November while a date and venue will be announced by the organisers this week.
2013 NOMINEES
Best Use of Social Media (Twitter)
Dolphins: @DolphinsFC
Enugu Rangers: @EnuguRangersFC
Lobi Stars: @LobiStars
Best Club Website
absfc.com
shootingstarsc.net
enyimba.net
Best Designed Club Jersey
3SC – OWU
Enyimba – Joma
Lobi Stars - OWU
Fair Play Award
El-Kanemi Warriors
Gombe United
Bayelsa United
Best New Goalkeeper
George Michael (El-Kanemi) - FC Taraba
Olufemi Kayode (Akwa United) - Akwa Starlets
Japhet Opubo (Nembe City) - Nembe City
Best Draft from Feeder Team
Victor Obinna Jnr (Lobi Stars Feeders)
Suleiman Mohammed (Lobi Stars Feeders)
Stephen Eze (Lobi Stars Feeders)
Best Feeder Team (Youth Development)
Enyimba Feeders (Nationwide Division One)
Kwara United Feeders (Nationwide Division Two)
Lobi Stars Feeders (Nationwide Division One)
Rookie of the Year
Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves)
Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba)
Ajibola Otegbeye (ABS)
Best Foreign Player
Hassan Hissein (Chad) – El-Kanemi
Salomon Junior (Rep. of Benin) – Bayelsa United
Rafael Junior Boumsong (Cameroon) - El-Kanemi
Best Goalkeeper
Femi Thomas (Enyimba)
Okeimute Odah (Warri Wolves)
Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)
Club of the Year
Enyimba
Kano Pillars
Sharks
Manager of the Year: Glo Premier League
Gbenga Ogunbote (Sharks)
Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)
Zachary Baraje (El-Kanemi Warriors)
Manager of the Year: Africa
Okey Emordi (Enugu Rangers)
Baba Ganaru (Kano Pillars)
Dominic Iorfa (Lobi Stars)
Goal of the Season
Brown Braye (Heartland v NEMBE CITY)
Bola Lekan (Heartland v ENUGU RANGERS)
Fortune Omoniwari (3SC vs SHARKS)
Highest Goal Scorer: Victor Namo (Nasarawa United) - 19 Goals
Best Glo Premier League Player in National Team (Super Eagles)
Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers)
Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves)
Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers)
Player of the Season
Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars)
Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves)
Chinedu Udoji (Enyimba)