Kitara FC forward Denis Omedi has earned a nomination for the prestigious 2024 FIFA Puskás Award after his breathtaking rabona goal against KCCA in the FUFA Super 8 quarter-finals on August 6, 2024, at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
The audacious strike, hailed as one of the greatest in Ugandan football history, came just moments after KCCA’s Joel Sserunjogi had put his side ahead with a long-range effort. Positioned at the edge of the penalty area, Omedi delivered a moment of pure magic, executing a flawless rabona that curled into the top corner past goalkeeper Anthony Emojong, leveling the score at 1-1.
The thrilling match ended in a 3-3 draw, with Kitara advancing to the semifinals on aggregate, but it was Omedi’s sensational goal that captured global attention and stole the headlines.
Should Omedi win, he would join an elite group of football icons who have previously claimed the award, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Zlatan Ibrahimović. He could also become the second player to win the award with a rabona, following Erik Lamela’s 2021 triumph for Tottenham Hotspur.
Named in honor of legendary Hungarian striker Ferenc Puskás, the award celebrates the most spectacular goals scored during the qualifying period, which for 2024 spanned from August 21, 2023, to August 10, 2024.
Fans around the world can vote for their favorite goal on FIFA’s official website until December 10, 2024. The winner will be announced at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in January 2025.
Omedi’s nomination is a testament to his individual brilliance and a milestone for Ugandan football, bringing attention to the rising talent from local leagues and elevating the nation’s presence on the global stage.
He will compete against 10 other nominees, including Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, recognized for his acrobatic overhead kick against Everton, and Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United for his dazzling solo effort against Freiburg.
