…Saints striker becomes first-ever Nigerian nominee
Super Eagles striker Paul Onuachu has made history becoming the first-ever Nigerian nominated for the Puskas award. His stunning backheel kick goal for Trabzonspor against Konyaspor in the Turkish Super League was good enough to earn him a nomination for the 2024 Puskas Award.
The Puskas Award, an annual honor recognizing the most aesthetically pleasing goal of the year, is a testament to football’s beauty and athleticism. Onuachu’s acrobatic strike, scored on November 10, 2023, is among ten other spectacular goals vying for the prestigious title.
The goal itself was a moment of pure magic. In the dying minutes of the match, with the score tied, Enis Destan sent a cross into the box. With incredible skill and agility, Onuachu executed a backheel kick that soared past the goalkeeper and into the net, leaving fans and pundits alike in awe.
Onuachu is not the only African player in the running for the award. Ghanaian star Mohammed Kudus, Algerian Yassine Benzia, and Ugandan Denis Omedi are also among the nominees.
10 other goals which were nominated alongside Onuachu’s include Hassan Al Haydos (Qatar v. China PR | AFC Asian Cup | 22 Jan 2024), Terry Antonis (Melbourne City v. Western Sydney Wanderers | A-League Men | 12 Mar 2024), Yassine Benzia (Algeria v. South Africa | FIFA Series | 26 Mar 2024), Walter Bou (Lanús v. Tigre | Torneo Betano 2024 | 04 Aug 2024) and Michaell Chirinos (Costa Rica v. Honduras | Concacaf Nations League | 23 Mar 2024).
Others are: Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan v. Frosinone | Serie A | 12 Nov 2023), Alejandro Garnacho (Everton v. Man United | EPL | 26 Nov 2023), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham v. Freiburg | Europa League | 14 Mar 2024), Denis Omedi (KCCA v. Kitara | FUFA Super 8 tournament | 06 Aug 2024), and Jaden Philogene (Rotherham United v. Hull City | Sky Bet Championship | 13 Feb 2024).
If Onuachu wins, he will become the second African player to claim the Puskas Award, following in the footsteps of Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah, who won the award in 2018 for his iconic goal against Everton.
As Onuachu’s international teammates Ademola Lookman and William Troost-Ekong have also been nominated for FIFA The Best awards, it’s an exciting time for Nigerian football on the global stage.
