The defender has been an important member of the Kwara United team with 30 appearances so far in the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

According to Sports Flames, Bamidele will compete for the award alongside Afeez Nosir, Samad Kadiri and Alao Danbani.

A portal where Sports Journalists and fans can vote for Bamidele has been opened on the website https://bit.ly/sportflameskupoty with voting already ongoing, the voting will be closed on the 3rd July 2022.

The winner will be announced on Match Day 37 and the presentation of the award will be on Kwara United’s last home game of the season against MFM FC, on 7th July 2022 at the Kwara State Stadium Complex.

The 23-year-old Bamidele lists HNK Rijeka, NK Varazdin and Niger Tornadoes as his former clubs.

Organisers of the maiden Sportflames/Kwara United player of the year 2022 has rolled out plans and modalities for the awards.

The award Which was previously held in Lagos since it began in 2016 will be coming to Kwara State for the first time and four Kwara United stars including Ayodeji Bamidele, Alao Danbani, Afeez Noshiru and Samad Kadiri has been nominated challenge for the individual crown.

Chief Organizers of the award, Olatoye Olawale, Online Editor of SportFlames, and Football Administrator is excited to bring the award down to Kwara State as he believed it’s an avenue to further encourage Premier League players to do more and be consistent with their performance.

According to Olatoye,” I’m excited that this year’s edition of the award would be taking place in Kwara State, our previous edition has been in Lagos, since moving down to Ilorin, it’s a great opportunity for us to put smiles on the faces of Kwara United players and the fans, it’s also one of many ways in which we can help motivate and encouraging the players to keep giving 100% to their game”,

“Also this project is our own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to rewarding player’s individual brilliance and excellence after having distinguished himself on and off the pitch”, He said.

A voting portal where Sports Journalists and fans can vote for the nominee of their choice has been opened on the website https://bit.ly/sportflameskupoty with voting already ongoing, the voting will be closed on the 3rd July 2022.

The winner will be announced on Match Day 37 and the presentation of the award will be on Kwara United’s’s last home game of the season against MFM FC, on 7th July 2022 at the Kwara State Stadium Complex Ilorin.

Kwara United energetic midfielder Afeez Nasiru has confirmed his readiness and that of his teammates for their game this Sunday against Lobi Stars in Makurdi.

Over the years, Makurdi has been a tough venue for Kwara United as far as the Nigerian topflight is concerned as the Aper Aku stadium always look like a ‘Kilimanjaro’ to climb for the Harmony Boys.

The last time Afonja Warriors visited Makurdi on November 10, 2019, the home team had their ways winning 4-0 in what remains the Harmony Boys’ heaviest away defeat in 13 years.

However, Afeez Nasiru has disclosed to Kwara United media that himself and his teammates will seek redemption against Lobi Stars by getting the victory this time around.

“We understand the fact that Lobi Stars is one of the best teams in Nigeria, but we have won 3 away games this season at difficult venues and we are ready to do the same tomorrow against Lobi.

“Beating Lobi Stars will help our quest this season and we are ready to fight with our lives to make sure we triumph in this game,” Afeez Nasiru who is a free-kick specialist stated.

In the topflight, Kwara United and Lobi Stars have met 18 times, with Kabiru Dogo’s side winning 8, while the Harmony Boys have 6 victories – with the remaining 4 games ending in draws.

When they both met in the first fixture this term in the NPFL on February 3, 2021, Kwara United won 2-1 in Ilorin, with goals from Chris Nwaeze and Stephen Jude as Samuel Tiza netted a consolation for Lobi Stars in the 80th minute.

Meanwhile, Kwara United are currently occupying 4th position on the NPFL standings with 46 points, while Lobi Stars occupy 8th with 40 points.

Kwara United impressive midfielder Afeez Nasiru has stated emphatically that himself and his teammates are ready to inflict a defeat on Nasarawa United in Ilorin.

Having won their last match at Katsina United in which Afeez Nasiru scored a 45 yards free-kick, Kwara United will aim to continue with their golden form at home against Nasarawa United on Sunday.

Nasarawa United on the other hand were made to face serious problems on their ground before beating visiting Abia Warriors 5-3 in their last game.

However, the Solid Miners must have it at the back of their minds that they have not beaten Kwara United in their last two games and Biffo and his wards are condemned to pick the three points in this battle.

While speaking with Kwara United Media, Afeez Nasiru explained that he will like to score another free-kick for his team if the opportunity comes against Nasarawa United.

“Nasarawa United is a good side, but tomorrow in Ilorin, we are ready for them and victory is what we need.

“If I should get any chance to play a free-kick in the match, then definitely I will aim to score because I love Kwara United and I want to go to Europe from Ilorin,” Afeez Nasiru explained.

In history, Kwara United and Nasarawa United have played 8 games in competitive football with the Solid Miners winning 4, while the Harmony Boys have 3 wins as the remaining game ended in draw.

During their last meeting on December 1, 2019, Nasarawa United suffered home defeat against Kwara United as Solomon Enudi’s 34th minute goal gave the Ilorin based side the win.

The last time Nasarawa United visited Ilorin was on April 26, 2015, and they were slapped with a 1-0 defeat by Kwara United.

Meanwhile, Kwara United are still topping the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) table with 33 points after 18 games, while Nasarawa United occupy 4th position with 30 points.