Denis Omedi continues to shine on the African football stage as his spectacular rabona goal against KCCA FC in the FUFA Super 8 tournament has earned a nomination for the prestigious CAF Goal of the Year award.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the shortlist on Sunday, December 1, 2024, featuring 11 exceptional goals scored across CAF competitions from January to October 2024.
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Omedi’s jaw-dropping strike, hailed as one of the most memorable in Ugandan football history, took place on August 6 during the FUFA Super 8 quarterfinal at the MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo.
Positioned at the edge of the penalty box, Omedi executed a flawless rabona shot that left KCCA goalkeeper Anthony Emojong rooted to the spot. The goal leveled the match at 1-1, with the thrilling game eventually ending in a 3-3 draw. Kitara FC advanced to the next stage on a 4-3 aggregate victory.
This CAF nomination places Omedi alongside elite players such as Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire), Abdul Aziz Issah (Dreams FC), and Saïd Benrahma (Algeria).
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Voting and Recognition
The CAF Goal of the Year award will be decided through a combination of fan votes (70%) and a panel of technical experts (30%). Voting opened today and will close on December 12, 2024, via CAF’s official platforms. The winner will be announced at the CAF Awards Gala on December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco.
In addition to his CAF recognition, Omedi has also been nominated for the 2024 FIFA Puskás Award, which honors the most spectacular goal scored worldwide. If successful, he could join legendary winners such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr., and Zlatan Ibrahimović.
He could also become the second player in history to win with a rabona, following Erik Lamela’s 2021 victory.
Voting for the Puskás Award is open on FIFA’s official website until December 10, 2024, with the winner to be revealed at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in January 2025.
Born on June 13, 1994, Denis Omedi is a professional footballer for Kitara FC in the Uganda Premier League and the Uganda national team.
After starting his career at Booma FC in Masindi, Omedi joined Kitara FC for the 2023/24 season, where he scored 15 goals in the league. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Month award for February 2024 at the Real Stars Awards held in Lugogo.
Omedi’s rising trajectory in 2024 cements his status as a standout player, representing Uganda on both the African and global stages.
ENDS
