Exclusive: “FIFA and CAF Nominations Are the Biggest Highlights of My Career, But Winning Would Be Truly Special,” Says Denis Omedi

The FIFA Puskas Awards, which recognizes the most beautiful goal, remains an elusive dream for many football icons. Despite its inception in 2009, even legendary players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have only garnered nine nominations between them, with Ronaldo winning the inaugural award.

From an African perspective, this year marks a golden milestone. The continent boasts an impressive four Puskas Award nominees, a testament to African football's remarkable growth.

One of Africa's top contenders is Denis Omedi, the Uganda Cranes striker, who rose to fame with his stunning rabona goal against Kampala Capital City Authority FC in a FUFA Super 8 quarter-final match. Omedi joins an exclusive group, becoming the fifth player, after Hlompho Kekana, Sandra Owusu-Ansah, Oscarine Masuluke, and Siphiwe Tshabalala, to receive a Puskas Award nomination while playing on the continent.

OMEDI'S LUGOGO MASTERCLASS

Scoring world-class goals is often the result of consistent practice on the training grounds and during matches, rather than luck. Denis Omedi's remarkable rabonna goal is a prime example of this.

Receiving a perfectly weighted long pass from teammate Paddy Muhuzuma from their own territory, Omedi skillfully turned his marker, Hassan Muhamood, inside out before executing a stunning backheel flick to beat KCCA's Anthony Emojong from the edge of the box back in August. The goal left fans in awe, and it quickly gained global attention after videos surfaced on social media.

The 30-year-old tells SportsBoom.com the inspiration behind his incredible goal. "First of all, I feel so proud to see my goal nominated for both the FIFA and CAF awards. It's a great feeling for me as a player, and I thank God so much for that.

"Honestly, before the match, I was watching some matches on television with my friends, and I remember sharing Psalm 45:17 with them. To be frank, I didn't know why I did that, but God is certainly involved in these breakthroughs." says Kitara FC's talented striker.

He explains further, "If you watch the video, I was running when my colleague Paddy delivered the ball, and I just had a few seconds to think about what I wanted to do with the ball.

"Realizing the keeper was a bit out of his line, I decided to go for that rabona kick. Although it was a difficult technique, I have always been practicing it at the training grounds, so I wasn't surprised that I scored."

I FEEL SPECIAL FOR THE RECOGNITION

For a man who is the first from his country to captivate the global football audience and dominate Reuters headlines with his Puskas Award nomination, it's certainly a moment to feel special.

However, Uganda Cranes striker Omedi is already looking beyond the nomination. He hopes to become the second player to win the prestigious FIFA Puskas Award with a stunning rabona kick. Erik Lamela achieved this feat in 2021 with his incredible goal for Tottenham Hotspur in their derby match against Arsenal.

"It's a very funny question [laughs]. I have to thank FIFA and CAF for the recognition. It's beautiful that they've brought the love of the game to our level, and I must congratulate them.

"I'm excited because football is not about colour or where you're coming from, and I think FIFA has truly demonstrated that. Now, everyone knows that if you do something special, it will not only be recognized in your country but also outside. That makes me happy, and I'm excited to be part of history.

"Winning the award will be fantastic, and it will certainly be in my memories forever. I'm already part of history; my name has been recorded in the history books of FIFA and CAF. But I think winning it will be extra special, and generations will come to hear of it."

Speaking about other goals in the category, the tricky forward mentioned rabona goals as his favorite. "It's essential to appreciate all my brothers in this category. Even if I didn't make the cut, nothing changes the fact that these goals are absolutely beautiful. But personally, I just love the rabona goals because they're very rare to see," he remarked.

OMEDI: ECLIPSED IN THE MOMENT

The ability to identify career highlights is essential for an athlete, and for the former Booma FC marksman, this is undoubtedly the pinnacle of his career.

It has been a concurrent series of blessings, from AFCON qualification with the Uganda Cranes to double recognitions by the world and continental football governing bodies. These achievements will undoubtedly be the defining moments of Omedi's career, especially as he prepares to take the stage at AFCON.

"These past few days have been the best and most pivotal moment of my career. The evidence is clear, and the international recognition is giving me goosebumps.

"To receive acknowledgement from both the global and continental football governing bodies is truly a blessing. It's a double celebration for me, and I'm thrilled to be part of the team that qualified Uganda for Morocco 2025.

"I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported me, including our head coaches, the Uganda Football Association, the media, and my family. I feel that this could be the moment that Ugandans and I have all been waiting for," says Dennis Omedi with humility and confidence.

As many football enthusiasts globally await FIFA's official date for the January 2025 Awards, Denis Omedi and African football aficionados will shift their attention to the glittering CAF Awards Gala, scheduled for Monday, 16 December 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.