Ugandan footballer Denis Omedi has opened up about the overwhelming support he received after his stunning rabona goal in the FUFA Super 8 earned him a nomination for the 2024 FIFA Puskás Award.
While the nomination itself is a historic achievement, Omedi revealed a moment that stood out above all others: a standing ovation from rival fans.
Omedi, who plays for Kitara and the Ugandan national team, said he was deeply moved when KCCA supporters, despite the goal being against them, rose to applaud the brilliance of his goal.
“They left the rivalry aside and gave me a standing ovation. They didn’t think of the rivalry; they looked at the beauty of the goal, the beauty of the game,” he said in an exclusive interview with FIFA. “It was one of my best moments, one I will remember forever.”
The goal itself — a perfectly executed rabona — has been lauded as one of the most technically challenging strikes of the year.
“The rabona is always a very unique goal. It’s not easy to execute, but it wasn’t a miracle. This is something I’ve been practicing since childhood,” he shared.
Beyond the individual accolade, Omedi sees the nomination as a victory for Ugandan football.
“The most remarkable aspect is that this goal was manufactured in Uganda, by a man from Kitara Football Club in Hoima, and a player from Lira,” he said.
The nomination places Omedi alongside global stars like Alejandro Garnacho and Mohammed Kudus, an experience he described as surreal.
“Some of these players, I used to just watch online or hear about. Now, I’m sharing the same stage with them. It’s a privilege,” he added.
As voting for the FIFA Puskás Award 2024 continues, Omedi remains focused on what this recognition means for his career and his country.
“To me, history has been made. It’s a big platform for me, Kitara Football Club, and Uganda.”
