- Uganda’s Denis Omedi has been nominated for the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award thanks to his wonderful rabona goal.
- Omedi scored the goal against KCCA during a FUFA Super 8 clash that was played in August this year.
- Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus and Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu are also in contention for the award.
Denis Omedi is among four Africans who have earned nomination for the prestigious 2024 FIFA Puskas Award.
The Ugandan professional footballer was picked for the prestigious award thanks to the brilliant rabona goal that he scored during a FUFA Super 8 quarter final clash against KCCA on August 6.
KCCA had taken the lead within 10 minutes of the encounter that was played at the MTN Omondi Stadium domiciled in Lugogo via Joel Sserunjogi’s powerful shot before Omedi equalized with the wonder striker.
The goal, which has left many football supporters around the world speechless, was not only courageously executed but also ingeniously engineered.
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Omedi whitewashed a KCCA defender at the edge of the penalty box before unleashing a picture perfect rabona that flew past the diving goalkeeper.
Although the epic encounter ended 3-3, Kitara managed to progress to the next round after earning a 4-3 victory in the penalty shoot-out.
Besides Omedi, three other African footballers including Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus, Nigeria’s Paul Onuachu and Algeria’s Yassine Benzia have also been nominated for the award.
Kudus was selected thanks to his impressive goal that came in West Ham United’s 5-0 thrashing of SC Freiburg in a one-side UEFA Europa fixture that was staged at the London Stadium in March.
Kudus picked the ball a few meters from West Ham’s 18 yard box, flew past several SC Freiburg players, before placing the ball into the net.
The quartet will compete for the award among other stars including the Argentine duo of Walter Bou and Alejandro Garnacho, Italy’s Federico Dimarco and Qatar’s Al Haydos.
Australia’s Terry Antonis, Honduran winger Micheall Chirinos, England’s Jaden Philogene and Paul Onuachu will also be in contention.
Voters can vote for their favorite goal on the FIFA official website with the process expected to be closed on December 10, 2024. The winner will then be announced during a ceremony that will be held in January next year.
Should Omedi win the award, he will join a star-studded list of players who have bagged the Puskas award in the past including Brazil’s Neymar Junior and Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
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