Asante Kotoko defender Abeiku Ainooson hopes to cap a remarkable year in which he was key in guiding the record Ghana league winners to a historic league and cup double with an individual gong to boot after getting nominated for the top award in the MTN FA Cup for last season.
Ainooson who also enjoyed a spectacular showing at the Championship for Africa Nations (CHAN) has been nominated for the best defender award but most importantly also for the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the entire 2013/14 tournament against Elvis Opoku of second tier side, Bibiani Gold Stars, Bechem United goal poacher Augustine Okrah and Kotoko teammate, Issah Yakubu.
At the expected lavish ceremony on August 9, one of these four players will walk away with a title first won by Kotoko's then Ivorian hitman, Ahmed Toure when they lost to Nania FC in the 2011 final.
Okrah is coming off an outstanding season with hitherto new entrants, Bechem United, his 16 goals not only powering Bechem to a 5th place finish but also handing him the goalking title, five goals clear of closest challenger, Kotoko's Seidu Bancey.
Chasing a double at the awards night is Elvis Opoku, the Bibiani Gold Stars playmaker who is already assured of the goaking title after banging in a massive seven goals in their surprise run to the last 16, famously knocking record winners, Hearts of Oak on the way.
Kotoko are also assured of the top scoring team award on the back of their 17 goals on the way to the title which eluded the Kumasi giants twice in the past three finals.
There will also be awards for the best goal of the tournament and fair play as well as special awards at the Banquet Hall of State House.
Other awards up for grabs on 9 August are the defender of the year of which Abeiku Ainooson of course comes up against Joseph Aidoo of Inter Allies, Lassana Coulibaly of Feyenoord and Emmanuel Akuoku of Aduana Stars.
Goalkeeper of the year has as nominees, Osei Kwame of Inter Allies, Joseph Addo of Kotoko, Benjamin Mensah of New Edubiase and Feyenoord's Theophilus Jackson.
Coach of the year has Didi Dramani of Kotoko who missed the final due to national team commitments up against the man his side overcame 2-1 to win the 2013/14 MTN FA Cup, Herbert Addo, John Kila of Feyenoord and Prince Acheampong of King Faisal.
Discovery of the year is a straight fight between youngsters Elvis Opoku of Bibiani Gold Stars of course, Bejamin Tetteh of Mighty Jets, Patrick Kpozo of Inter Allies and Lassana Coulibaliy of Feyenoord.
3 different awards for match officials
In a year that saw the MTN sponsors deliver branded jerseys to referees to use for the FA Cup games, the men in the middle are receiving a greater boost in the off-season with three different categories of awards reserved for the knights of the whistle.
Referee of the year has nominated Seidu Bomison, Daniel Laryea and Patrick Kyeremanteng whilst Ibrahim Adam, Dawood Wadrago and Ashitey Armah have been nominated for assistant referee of the year.
A third award for match officials is the promising referee of the year which has Maxwell Hanson, Anafo Nathan and Prince Amoah as nominees.
Full list of nominees: 2013/14 MTN FA Cup Awards
Defender Of The Year
1. Abeiku Ainooson - Asante Kotoko
2. Joseph Aidoo - Inter Allies
3. Lassana Coulibaly - Feyernood Fc
4. Emmanuel Akuoku - Aduana Stars
Goalkeeper Of The Year
1. Osei Kwame - Inter Allies
2. Joseph Addo - Asante Kotoko
3. Benjamin Mensah - New Edubiase
4. Theophilus Jackson - Feyernood FC
Top Scorer Of The Year
Elvis Opoku - Gold Stars - 7 Goals
Highest Scoring Club Of The Year
Asante Kotoko - 17 Goals
Referee Of The Year
1. Seidu Bomison
2. Daniel Laryea
3. Patrick Kyeremanteng
Assistant Referee Of The Year
1. Ibrahim Adam
2. Dawood Wadrago
3. Ashitey Armah
Promising Referees Of The Year
1. Maxwel Hason
2. Anafo Nathan
3. Prince Amoah
Coach Of The Year
1. Didi Dramani - Asante Kotoko
2. Herbert Addo - Inter Allies
3. John Kila - Feyernood FC
4. Prince Acheampong - King Faisal
Discovery Of The Year
1. Elvis Opoku - Gold Stars
2. Benjamin Tetteh - Mighty Jets
3. Patrick Kpozo - Inter Allies
4. Lassana Coulibaliy - Feyernoord FC
Best Player Of The Year
1. Elvis Opoku - Gold Stars
2. Augustine Okrah - Bechem United
3. Abeiku Ainooson -Asante Kotoko
4. Issah Yakubu -Asante Kotoko
Other Awards
Best Goal Of The Tournament
Fair Play
Special Awards
We’re disappointed over gov’t’s lacklustre attitude to negotiations of our condi...
No more Buffer Stock as Mahama promises to decentralise SHS food supply
NSS urges President Akufo-Addo to sign National Service Bill into law
You're lying, your 7-11pm dumsor attributed to overloaded transformers is false ...
Consult Council of State on anti-gay bill – Mahama advises Akufo-Addo
Transport Ministry has no power to determine fares – COPEC
Brace yourselves for more economic hardship – Prof Adei to Ghanaians
Any government depending on IMF is likely to fail – Grand Coalition
Ghana risks losing premium cocoa position due to galamsey – COCOBOD laments
Akufo-Addo launches NSS policy document to tackle under-utilisation of service p...
