Brazilian coach makes NPFL-LBA shortlist

FC Ifeanyiubah’s Brazilian head coach, Rafael Everton, has been named among the shortlist to vie for the manager’s award in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) – League Bloggers Awards (LBA) for a second month.
Everton missed the chance to win the manager’s award in July after Plateau United trainer, Zachary Baraje, claimed it in a field of nominees that also had Imama Amapakabo and Kabiru Dogo of Nasarawa United.
The Brazilian, who has since taken first-team duties at the Nnewi club this season, has been named in the shortlist for last month after he led FC Ifeanyiubah to a run of three wins, including a 1-0 success at Warri Wolves after beginning the month on a losing note at Plateau United.
Everton will have to fend off the trio of Ladan Bosso of El-Kanemi Warriors, Solomon Ogbeide of Sunshine Stars and Enyimba’s Paul Aigbogun for the manager’s award.
NPFL top scorer, Godwin Obaje of Wikki Tourists as well as Samad Kadiri of Sunshine Stars, FC Ifeanyiubah’s Chijioke Alakwe and Ibrahim Ajani of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) make up the list to compete for the player’s award for August.

Obaje scored three goals, which is the most goals by any individual in the month of August. However, all of his goals were scored in home games against MFM FC and Lobi Stars which earned them four points while Alakwe scored a goal each in the derby against Rangers and at Warri Wolves in which FC Ifeanyiubah notched up all six points.
Samad got himself among the mentions to tussle for the August award after scoring in Sunshine Stars’ 2-0 win over Niger Tornadoes at home and in their 2-3 loss at El-Kanemi.
Ajani has been one of the mainstay at 3SC this season and in August he showed why he is an important member of the Ibadan club when he netted twice.