Uganda Cranes Forward Denis Omedi fell short in his Puskas quest as Alejandro Garnacho’s stunning overhead kick for Manchester United against Everton clinched the 2024 FIFA Puskás Award on Tuesday, December 18.
Omedi, whose audacious rabona goal for Kitara FC in the FUFA Super 8 had already earned him widespread acclaim, finished third in the final voting with 16 points.
Garnacho topped the poll with 26 points, while Algerian forward Yassine Benzia took second place with 22 points.
Despite the result, Omedi’s journey to the FIFA Puskás Award final marked an extraordinary chapter in Ugandan football history. His nomination shone a spotlight on Ugandan talent.
This result came just hours after Omedi missed out on the CAF Goal of the Year award, where Angola’s Cristovao Mabululu emerged victorious. However, Omedi has remained optimistic, focusing on the groundbreaking impact of his achievements.
“Special thanks to the multitudes who voted for me for this coveted award. Albeit the fact that we didn’t win it, we made history regardless. I believe this is just the beginning of greater things to come,” Omedi tweeted after the CAF awards ceremony.
Meanwhile, Garnacho’s winning goal—a breathtaking overhead kick during Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Everton—was widely praised for its technical difficulty and execution.
The Argentinian forward described the goal as a moment of brilliance he had practiced countless times.
