The Ugandan football fraternity is in congratulatory and celebratory mood after Kitara FC and men’s senior national team the Cranes forward Denis Omedi clinched a nomination for the prestigious FIFA Puskás Award.
The accolade is awarded to the most aesthetically pleasing goal scored in a ,year across the whole world,and Omedi makes the eleven man shortlist for 2024 with a spectacular rabona for his club side Kitara in a FUFA Super 8 fixture against KCCA FC.Omedi won a header from a long punt forward from defence,raced past his marker and then chopped the ball back to his left on the right side edge of the eighteen yard box.
But rather than cut it back or send in an in swinging cross, the forward stunned the entire stadium by contorting his body to rifle an unstoppable rabona over the despairing goal keeper. It was a legitimately sensational strike; an exhibition of remarkable skill, power and confidence.
It remains to be seen whether Omedi will go a step further and bring home the esteemed award,because as impressive as his goal is,it is up against some truly ridiculous efforts such as;Walter Bou’s overhead volley from outside the box for Lanus against Tigres,Alejandro Garnacho’s bicycle kick for Manchester United against Everton and Yassine Benzia’s shocking improvised overhead kick for Algeria against South Africa,
The competition goes beyond those three,though,as it also includes Mohammed Kudus’ slaloming run and finish from deep inside his own half for West Ham against Freiburg,Paul Onuachu’s acrobatic beauty for Trabzonspor against Konyaspor,Hassan Al Haydos scorching volley from outside the area for Qatar against China and Federico Dimarco’s stunning strike from almost half way out for Internazionale against Frosinone.
Continuing the frankly mindblowing list of potential winners are Terry Antonis’ volley from inside the center circle in Melbourne City’s demolition of Western Sydney Wanderers,Jaden Philogene’s sensational rabona for Hull City against Rotherham United,deflected over the keeper after the winger left the defence in shambles and Micheall Chirinos’ first time finish from all of twenty yards for Hondurus against Costa Rica.
Omedi expressed his pleasure at the nomination,posting on social media “Honoured to be awarded as a puskas award contender.To God be the glory 💪
Kindly vote for me via fifa.com/the-best-fifa-…
My humble regards,Denis Omedi ❤️✍️[sic]”.
The congratulations came from far and wide,reflected in the comment section,as fans galore,as well as colleagues and national team mates Rogers Mato and Allan Okello were joined by artiste Eddy Kenzo,who does know a thing or two about winning international awards,in commending Omedi upon such a noteworthy achievement.
The winner will be announced at the Best FIFA Football Awards 2024,slated for January next year. Last year the accolade went to Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Madruga for his overhead kick from outside the box for Botafogo-SP in a Serie B clash against Novorizontino.
