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Omedi, man of the moment

Omedi was voted the 2023/24 coaches player of the season. PHOTO/JOHN BATANUDDE
What you need to know:
His moment of magic happened in August at Lugogo in a Fufa Super 8 quarterfinal match against KCCA.
Denis Omedi has been quite busy with social media duties, dishing out some words of wisdom as well as verses of inspiration and gratitude.
“Honoured to be awarded as a Puskas award contender,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter, on November 29, “To God be the glory.”
He followed that up with an instant call to action. “Kindly vote for me via https://www.fifa.com/the-best-fifa-football-awards-2024/en/puskas-award. My humble regards, Denis Omedi,” he signed off.
By the way, he is not impersonating anyone. The Kitara and Cranes striker is truly a humble man.
Back to the man’s call, the deadline to vote for Omedi for the Fifa Puskas Award is next Tuesday, December 10, 2024. So, get voting now for his extraordinary rabona goal that has him talked about globally.
Omedi did not even afford a break to digest the Puskas news. Just days after being nominated for the Fifa Award, Caf also shortlisted him for the Goal of the Year contender.
He was shortly back online, this time with a sermon. “Psalms 45:17: The Lord declares, ‘I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations, therefore, nations will praise you forever and ever.’
“What an honour being nominated concurrently. Kindly vote for me as history beckons us http://cafawardsgoty.com. Omedi.” He signed off with a heart emoji. Voting for this ends on December 12, 2024.
What a beautiful last few days, and what a year, Omedi - who is now fully integral in Uganda Cranes Afcon and World Cup journeys - has had!
Moment of magic
His moment of magic happened in August at Lugogo in a Fufa Super 8 quarterfinal match against KCCA. Under pressure from a KCCA defender, Omedi showcased exceptional flair and composure.
Positioned on the right edge of the penalty area, the striker deftly improvised to control the ball, spun sharply, and executed a stunning rabona - swinging his right leg behind his standing left to launch a high, looping shot.
The ball soared gracefully beyond the reach of KCCA’s young goalkeeper, Anthony Emojong, leaving spectators in awe of the sheer audacity and skill.
The match ended 3-3 on the day and 4-3 on aggregate in favour of Kitara, who progressed to the semifinals.
It was truly a moment to behold, and thankfully, it was captured on camera. It was so good it earned the merit to compete with the very best, and thankfully, fans, too, can play a part in determining the winner by voting.
But which other goals must Omedi’s rabona beat to win the Fifa Puskas Award and the Caf Goal of the Year, which each have 11 contenders? Let us start with the Puskas contenders.
The 10 other nominees for the Fifa Puskas Award
Yassine Benzia (Algeria):Algeria vs South Africa (Fifa Series 2024 Algeria) Just like Omedi’s, a goal that will leave your mouth slightly open in absolute amazement. After a catalogue of passes, and with his back to goal inside the penalty area, Benzia received the ball with his right and in a split second improvised sensationally to fire home with a left-footed bicycle kick. Both this and Omedi’s goals have received a double nomination.
Jaden Philogene (Hull): Rotherham United v Hull City, English Championship
The second rabona on the shortlist was scored by Hull forward Philogene in the English Championship. He showcased his skill, balance and quick feet to turn Rotherham midfielder Oliver Rathbone inside out before his audacious effort looped beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.
Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United): Everton v Manchester, Premier League
Another banger and truly a serious contender! Garnacho drew gasps inside Everton’s Goodison Park stadium when he opened the scoring for Manchester United in astonishing style. Diogo Dalot’s lofted cross was slightly behind the Argentinian, but the youngster launched himself into mid-air and sent a stunning overhead kick rocketing into Jordan Pickford’s goal.
Hassan Al Haydos (Qatar): Qatar v China PR, Asian Cup
Akram Afif floated a corner to the edge of the box where Al Haydos smashed an unstoppable volley with the outside of his boot into the top corner. He could not have struck it any sweeter.
Terry Antonis (Melbourne City): Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers, A-League
Melbourne City were already cruising 6-0 Antonis applied the icing. With the ball still inside the Melbourne half, Antonis lifted it over the head of Wanderers midfielder Oscar Priestman before unleashing a wild strike just after the half way line, which searched the skies before sailing into the net.
Walter Bou (Lanus FC): Lanus v Tigre, League game
At 2-2 and with the clock ticking, this Argentinian top-flight game looked headed for a draw. But Bou had other ideas, the Lanus star expertly controlling a hopeful ball forward with his chest before rifling in a jaw-dropping overhead kick from 20 yards.
Michaell Chirinos (Honduras): Costa Rica v Honduras, Concacaf Nations League
Chirinos’ brilliant strike would have been a worthy nominee in itself, but the assist makes this even more special. His Honduras teammate, Jerry Bengtson, displayed exceptional ingenuity to set up Chirinos with a wonderful first-time pass with the outside of his boot and the latter duly crashed a superb volley beyond Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas for his side to win this play-off 3-1.
Federico Dimarco (Inter): Inter Milan v Frosinone, Serie A
The danger appeared minimal in this Serie A encounter when Italian and Inter Milan hitman, Dimarco, lighted a pass wide on the left flank, just inside the opposition half. Unfortunately for Frosinone, Dimarco then quickly spotted goalkeeper Stefano Turati off his line and let fly with a spectacular lob which dipped underneath the crossbar and left the shot-stopper grasping at thin air.
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham): West Ham United vs Freiburg, Europa League
Kudus was at his electric best for this solo goal in the Europa League. The Ghana international’s control, balance and skill were all on show as he dribbled from well inside his own half, leaving several Freiburg players in his wake to wish with untold composure.
Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor): Trabzonspor vs Konyaspor, Turkish League
Trabzonspor striker Onuachu settled this Turkish Super Lig clash with an astonishing 85th-minute winner. Enis Destan dug out a cross from the left and Onuachu somehow manoeuvred his body to score with a flying backheel.
The nine other nominees for Caf Goal of the Year 2024
Abdul Aziz Issah (Dreams FC): Dreams FC vs APC Lobito (TotalEnergies CafCC)
A brilliant strike from nearly the halfway line that beat the goalkeeper, who was off the line.
Aboubakary Koita (Mauritania): Mauritania vs Angola (TotalEnergies Afcon 2023)
Koita cleverly drove the ball from the left midfield, cut inside and blasted in an unstoppable shot from about 25 yards, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Ibrahim Adel (Egypt): Mauritania vs Egypt (TotalEnergies Afcon 2025 Qualifiers)
With three back-footed Mauritania players ahead of him, he launched an ambitious strike from deep inside his own half, embarrassing the retreating and tumbling Mauritania goalkeeper.
Kevin Pina (Cape Verde): Cape Verde vs Mozambique (TotalEnergies Afcon 2023)
Pina struck a long range bullet from about 25 yards, slightly on the right midfield, giving the Mozambique goalkeeper no chance.
Cristovao Mabululu (Angola): Angola vs Namibia (TotalEnergies Afcon 2023)
Mabululu received the ball down the left, taking one touch and advancing into the penalty box, before - like a true artist - curling it beyond the goalkeeper.
Nene Dorgeles (Mali): Mali vs Côte d'Ivoire (TotalEnergies Afcon 2023) Sits down his onrushing marker, looks up and sees seven Ivory Coast players in front of him, four of them inside the penalty box, then drives in an unstoppable shot past the goalkeeper.
Saïd Benrahma (Algeria): Algeria vs Togo (TotalEnergies Afcon 2025 Qualifiers)
At the end of an Algerian attack with a 25-yard rocket into the top right corner of the net.
Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire): Nigeria vs Côte d'Ivoire (TotalEnergies Afcon 2023)
Evaded two defenders breathing down his neck to delicately poke home Adingra’s cross from the left, the ball leaving the Nigerian goalkeeper mesmerised.
Wessam Abou Ali (Al Ahly): Al Ahly vs TP Mazembe (TotalEnergies CafCL) - Raced ahead of a tracking defender to acrobatically volley home Ali Maalou’s brilliant cross from the left.
With Omedi’s name now etched among these incredible feats, the final vote percentage lies with fans. Whether it’s the rabona magic at Lugogo or his resilience on and off the field, Omedi’s story is one of inspiration and history in the making.
Voting for the Fifa Puskás Award will be split equally between fans and a panel of Fifa Legends, while Caf Goal of the Year vote will count for 70 per cent of the fans and 30 per cent for a technical panel of experts.