Kitara Football Club striker Omedi Dennis is competing with 11 international footballers for the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award.
The accolade is named- after legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, who was famed for his glorious individual strikes.
Previous winners include Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, James Rodriquez, Mohamed Salah and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Olivier Gioroud among others.
Out of all footballers in the world, Omedi is among the 11 spectacular contenders for this year’s coveted prize.
Omedi’s Rabona goal against KCCA FC in the FUFA Super 8 tournament caught the attention of FIFA, the world’s football governing body.
Omedi provided the standout moment of this 3-3 thriller in the Ugandan Super 8 tournament. The Kitara forward took aim with an improbable rabona from the edge of the penalty box, generating remarkable power to find the top corner of the net.
Omedi is hoping to become the second player to win the FIFA Puskás Award with a rabona kick. Erik Lamela did so back in 2021, with his goal coming for Tottenham Hotspur in their derby against Arsenal.
This year’s award celebrates the most spectacular goals from different league and competitions across the world from 21 August 2023 to 10 August 2024.
Besides Omedi, below are the other nominees for the FIFA Puskás Award winner
1. Hassan Al Haydos: He scored with a volley for Qatar against China PR in the AFC Asian Cup.
2. Terry Antonis: His goal for Melbourne City against Western Sydney Wanderers in Australia’s A-League Men in which he lifted the ball over the head of Wanderers midfielder Oscar Priestman before unleashing a magnificent strike which sailed into the net.
3. Yassine Benzia: His goal for Algeria against South Africa in the FIFA Series. He collected a pass from Algeria team-mate Monsef Bakrar with his back to goal, flicked the ball up with his right boot then improvised sensationally to fire home with a left-footed bicycle kick.
4. Walter Bou: His goal for Lanús against Tigre in Argentina’s Liga Profesional de Fútbol. He expertly controlled a hopeful ball forward with his chest before rifling in a jaw-dropping overhead kick from 20 yards.
5. Michaell Chirinos: His goal for Honduras against Costa Rica in the Concacaf Nations League. Chirinos’ eyes lit up and he duly crashed a superb volley beyond Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas in this Concacaf Nations League play-off, which the hosts went on to win 3-1.
6. Federico Dimarco: His goal for Inter Milan against Frosinone in Italy’s Serie A. He lighted on a pass wide on the left flank, just inside the opposition half. The Italian, however, spotted Frosinone stopper Stefano Turati off his line and let fly with a spectacular lob which dipped underneath the crossbar and left the keeper grasping at thin air.
7. Alejandro Garnacho: His goal for Manchester United against Everton in the English Premier League. Diogo Dalot’s lofted cross was slightly behind the Argentinian, but he launched himself into mid-air and sent a stunning overhead kick rocketing into Jordan Pickford’s goal.
8. Mohammed Kudus: His goal for West Ham United against Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League. The Ghana international’s control, balance and skill were all on show as he dribbled from well inside his own half, leaving several Freiburg players in his wake. He then had the composure to slide in a clinical low finish.
9. Paul Onuachu: His goal for Trabzonspor against Konyaspor in Turkey’s Süper Lig. Enis Destan dug out a cross from the left and Onuachu somehow manoeuvred his body to score with a flying back heel.
10. Jaden Philogene. His goal for Hull City against Rotherham United in the English Football League Championship. He showcased his skill, balance and quick feet to turn Rotherham midfielder Oliver Rathbone inside out before his audacious effort looped beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
Voting is underway. Here is the link to vote Omedihttps://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards-2024/en/puskas-award.
The nomination alone makes Omedi stand out in the world. If he wins the award, he will be the first person in East and central Africa to do so.
He will be the second African to Mohamed Salah who won it in 2018.
It is yet another record for Kitara FC to have such a player on the world stage.
Denis Omedi’s goal tally so far:
2023/24 League goals- 15 Goals
Uganda Cup – 2 goals
CAF Confederations Cup – 2 goals
FUFA Super 8 – 2 goals
International Club friendly in Ethiopia – 2 goals