Bonny Akingbade, Haruna Yusuf, Opeyemi Ogundumila, Oluwatobi Dahunsi, and Amaechi Sunday are the first set of nominees revealed for the 2022 Wonderxchange Men’s Player of the Year award.

The winner will be named – along with the Wonderxchange Goalkeeper of the Year, Wonderxchange Defender of the Year, Wonderxchange Midfielder of the Year, Wonderxchange Forward of the Year, Wonderxchange Coach of the Year and Wonderxchange Young Player of the Year – during the 2022 End of the Year award ceremony in Akure on Friday 16 December.

Wonderxchange Men’s Player of the Year nominees

 

Bonny Akingbade (Wonderxchange B/Defender)

The central defender has been a key figure in defense for the B-side and he’s well known for his aerial prowess and the ability to coordinate his defense line as well as his leadership qualities on the pitch.

 

Haruna Yusuf (Wonderxchange B/Midfielder)

The defensive midfielder is a prominent member of his side both on and off the field of play. Well known for his ability to protect the defense line and also initiate attacks from the base of the midfield with long passes. Haruna is also a competent team leader and a worthy skipper for his side.

He has featured in all matches for his side whenever he’s fit and available for selection.

 

Opeyemi Ogundumila (Wonderxchange B/Forward)

The forward is well known for his tricky dribbling skills and the ability to make the opposition’s defensive line have a very busy day. He’s also a very proficient goal scorer as he’s the leading scorer for the B-side with 6 goals in competitive games played.

 

Oluwatobi Dahunsi ( Wonderxchange/Forward)

A very strong contender for the award and a key member of the Men’s A team.

He’s the club’s most creative player and the only player on the team with double figures in goals and assists. Oluwatobi has found the back of the net 10 times and also assisted 13 goals. I.e. 10 goals and 13 assists for the young prodigy.

 

Amaechi Sunday (Wonderxchange/Forward)

Amaechi Sunday is a very talented young forward who has enjoyed a very impressive season thus far. Despite making most of his appearances from the reserves, Amaechi is the team’s second top scorer with 12 goals and 3 assists to his name.

 

 

Abednego Lewey (Wonderxchange B/Midfielder)

Abednego is a dynamic and utility player who can triumph in various positions when the need arises. He has filled in various makeshift positions such as an attack, right back, right wing-back and in the middle of the pack which is his familiar role, and is a key member of the Coach, Gbenga Ologun tutored side.

 

 

Afolabi Adeyina (Wonderxchange/Midfielder)

Afo as he is fondly called by teammates is a master of his craft as he’s an ever-present figure whenever he’s fit and a very effective and dynamic holding midfielder. He provides decent cover in the defense line and initiates an attack from midfield.

 

Lekan Ajeyomi (Wonderxchange/Defender)

The captain of the team is well known for his height and physical presence on the back line. He uses these elements to repel opponents’ attacks as well as to attack during set pieces. He has scored a few goals from dead-ball situations.

 

Musa Hassan (Wonderxchange/Forward)

Musa is one of the most promising players on the side and a hot prospect at that.

He’s also one of the club’s leading scorers for the year with 7 goals scored and 3 assists provided. He’s one to look out for in the future.

 

Omolade Ibitayo (Wonderxchange/Defender)

Omolade who plays from the left wing-back is only just behind the club’s assist leader as the wingback has assisted 6 goals this year and also has an eye for goals with 5 goals scored to make him the highest-scoring defender in the team.

 

Melody Terdoo (Wonderxchange/Midfielder)

Melody is an attacking/creative midfielder who is an influential part of the first team. As a versatile midfielder, his passing abilities and eye for goal with long-range shots make him a valuable asset in attack. The midfielder also has a thing for no-look passes.

 

Olayemi Bello (Wonderxchange B/Midfielder)

The midfielder who was finding game time hard to come by in the men’s A team personally requested a move to the B side in search of regular playing time, a decision he’ll be glad he made as he has found his mojo back and established himself as a key figure in the men’s B team. His good form also saw him get nominated for the player of the month award two months in a row. He also got a nomination for the midfielder of the year award and is nominated for a spot in the men’s player of the year award. Surely a good year for Olayemi.

 

Emmanuel Yakubu (Wonderxchange/Goalkeeper)

Emmanuel is the only goalkeeper on the list, a nomination that shows what an excellent year he has had in goal.

He has kept 14 clean sheets in competitive games so far this year and is a regular starter for his side.

 

Seun Ojo (Wonderxchange/Defender)

Seun has formed a formidable 3-man defense partnership with Sunday and Lekan as this trio has started over 80% of games together with over 10 clean sheets when all 3 have started a game together. As a defensive player, he’s known for his rugged playing style, proficient marking skills, and ability to switch plays.

 

Onome Adepoju (Wonderxchange/Defender)

Despite joining the team in the second half of the year, Onome’s brilliant displays and contributions have earned him a spot on the men’s player of the year award shortlist. Playing from the right wing-back and having to compete for game time, he has managed 5 assists and a goal to his name since joining the side.

 

Adedayo Adeyemi (Wonderxchange/Midfielder)

Rojo as he’s fondly called is known for his rugged and dogged style of play at the base of the midfield. He’s a very effective marker and also prominent when contesting balls in the air.

His Modric-style passing is also popular among his teammates.

 

Chinedu Okorie (Wonderxchange/Forward)

Chinedu is the team’s highest scorer this year with 16 goals in competitive games and 5 assists.

He’s known for his vibrant energy upfront as he puts opposition defenders under constant pressure with his high-pressing skills and determination to win the ball back. He has an impressive work rate up front.

 

Sunday Emmanuel (Wonderxchange/Defender)

Despite his small stature, Sunday’s smart style of defending and the ability to read through and predict opponents’ moves make up for his small size. He has successfully established himself as a regular starter in the usual back three. He usually gives attackers a run for their money and doesn’t get intimidated.

 

Fisayo Ilesanmi (Wonderxchange B/Defender)

One of the few wingbacks to be nominated, Fisayo who also personally requested a move to the B side due to the limited number of game time has made himself an ever-present figure in the side.

He is known for his ability to make accurate square passes into the box. He is also known for the threat he poses from free kicks like the one scored against Saints FC and dead ball situations.

 

Micheal Akpovie (Wonderxchange/Defender)

Micheal plays from both the left and right wing-back position, he also fills in from the midfield when need is, is a constant figure in the side and he’s usually not shy to take shots from distance, an effort which paid off as he scored a brilliant pile-driver from yards out in the win against Akfem FC of Ibadan on Independence Day.

What is the Wonderxchange Men’s Player of the Year award?

For this award, players representing Wonderxchange, have been judged regarding their performances over the whole year in all competitions including scouting competitions.

How were the players shortlisted/ How to vote

Every player in the team was initially selected and shortlisted.

The top twenty nominees for the Wonderxchange Men’s Player of the year award were voted for by the management panel after their outstanding performances during the year 2022.

Fans will be able to vote for their favorite player via the Wonderxchange FC website until 00:00 GMT on Wednesday 14 December.

Vote for your Wonderxchange Men’s Player of the Year

Vote now: https://www.opinionstage.com/wonder-football/who-should-win-wonderxchange-men-s-player-of-the-year-award

The public vote will be combined with those of a panel of club management to decide the winner.