Lobi Stars striker, Anthony Okpotu and Duke Udi of Sunshine Stars have
emerged the Player and Manager for the month of July in the Nigeria
Professional Football League (NPFL) respectively.
Okpotu and Udi were named winners for the monthly recognition
organised by the League Bloggers Awards (LBA) on Tuesday for their
outstanding performances in July.
The Lobi Stars forward claimed the player’s award ahead of Gombe
United youngster Sani Abbani, Akwa United’s Musa Newman and Godwin
Obaje of FC Ifeanyiubah.
Okpotu, who was also among the shortlists for the June award,
accounted for half of his club’s eight goals in July and provided two
assists. The Lobi scored in four consecutive matches.
He scored against the league champions Enugu Rangers and Remo Stars in
home games while his other goals were on the road at Katsina United
and Enyimba.
In the manager’s category, Udi finished ahead of Fidelis Ilechukwu of
MFM, Fatai Amoo of 3SC and Akwa United’s Abdu Maikaba.
Udi led Sunshine Stars through six matches in July and guided them to
four wins and two defeats. Only MFM FC under Ilechukwu matched the
record of Sunshine Stars in that month.
However, Udi’s men won two matches on the road – defeating ABS FC 4-2
in Ilorin and Rivers United 1-0 in Port Harcourt – to help him claim
the manager’s prize for July.
Okpotu and Udi will be honoured at a later by the LBA.
