Nigeria, Aug. 25 -- President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, has expressed confidence that Nigerian football will recover from its recent setbacks and regain its place among Africa's leading football nations.

Mr Philips spoke in Abuja on Monday as the organisers of the annual Nigeria Pitch Awards announced that the 12th edition of the awards ceremony will be held on 8 September at the Ibis Hotel, Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

His comments come after a difficult period for Nigeria's national teams, with the Super Eagles and Super Falcons recently suffering setbacks in their respective World Cup qualification campaigns.

Despite the disappointments, Mr Philips said the quality of Nigerian players competing in leagues around the...