Four notable Nigerian football players, Paul Onuachu, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and Asisat Oshoala, have been nominated in a number of categories for the esteemed FIFA Best Awards 2024.
FIFA made the announcement of the nominations on Friday, highlighting the players’ outstanding efforts during the previous 12 months.
Oshoala, a six-time CAF Women’s Player of The Year winner, is up for the inaugural Marta Award, which honours the best goal in women’s football. Her acrobatic bicycle kick for Barcelona Femeni against Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League earned her a spot on the shortlist.
Lookman, whose stellar performances for Atalanta and the Super Eagles have drawn international acclaim, has been nominated in the Best Attacker category for the FIFA Best XI.
Lookman is set to compete against football icons Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior. He also played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph and Nigeria’s run to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s stand-in captain, has been shortlisted in the Best Defender category for the FIFA Best XI. The defender, who has been instrumental for his clubs and the national team, will go head-to-head with Arsenal’s William Saliba, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger, and other defensive stalwarts.
Meanwhile, Southampton striker Paul Onuachu is a contender for the Puskás Award, recognising the best goal in men’s football.
Onuachu’s stunning scorpion kick for Trabzonspor in their 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig captured the imagination of fans worldwide and earned him a well-deserved spot among the nominees.
Fans have until December 10 to cast their votes for the FIFA Best Awards on the organisation’s website.
Winners in categories such as the FIFA Fan Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award will also be determined by public votes and an expert panel.
This year’s awards celebrate a remarkable year for Nigerian football, with these four stars shining brightly on the global stage.
