FIFA Best: Onuachu Makes History as First Nigerian to Be Nominated for Puskas Award
- FIFA have announced the nominees for the different categories of its yearly The Best Award 2024 edition
- A Super Eagles star has earned a nomination in the Puskas Award category with a brilliant goal last year
- CAF Best Award nominees duo of Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong were also nominated
A Super Eagles forward has received a historic nomination after FIFA announced the nominees for the yearly The Best Award, 2024 edition, in the early hours of today.
World football governing body FIFA have been running the award independently since it seceded from the Ballon d'Or in 2016 after a five-year partnership.
Source: Getty Images
The award ceremony is held in different locations worldwide, with the 2023 edition held in London, United Kingdom, with Lionel Messi in absentia the biggest winner of the night.
Onuachu nominated for Puskas award
FIFA published the list of nominees on its social media pages and Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu was nominated for the Puskas Award, celebrating the best goal in the year.
Onuachu scored a late winner for Trabzonspor in their 2-1 win over Konyaspor on November 10, 2023. He expertly beat the offside trap and diverted the ball home with his heel.
He is in contention against Alejandro Garnacho’s overhead kick for Manchester United against Everton and Mohammed Kudus’ solo run for West Ham against Freiburg and other fantastic goals.
The 6 foot 7 inches tall striker enjoyed a brilliant spell at Belgian club Genk before moving to Southampton in 2023, but his career has stalled since, and he scored his Puskas goal during his loan to Turkish club Trabzonspor.
The Owerri-born star has struggled in the national team. He has 24 caps since making his debut in 2019, most of which have been substitute roles. He has three goals and featured at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Comparing Lookman's stats to CAF nominees
YEN.com.gh reported that Ademola Lookman has been touted as the overwhelming favourite to win the 2024 CAF Player of the Year Award after an impressive display in the outgoing year.
The Nigerian forward will contest for the prestigious individual honour against some of Africa's best stars like Achraf Hakimi and Ronwen Williams.
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Source: Legit.ng
