Nigerian stars shine with FIFA best awards nominations

Nigerian footballers Asisat Oshoala, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong, and Paul Onuachu have received nominations for the prestigious FIFA Best Awards 2024, recognising their stellar performances over the past year.

Oshoala, a Barcelona Femeni forward and six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year, is nominated for the inaugural Marta Award.

Her spectacular bicycle kick against Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League secured her spot on the shortlist for the best goal in women’s football.

Lookman, instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League triumph and Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign, is shortlisted in the Best Attacker category for the FIFA Best XI.

Competing against superstars Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Vinicius Junior, Lookman’s nomination underscores his rising prominence.

Troost-Ekong, Nigeria’s stand-in captain, is named among the Best Defender nominees for the FIFA Best XI.

Known for his leadership and defensive prowess, he joins a field that includes Arsenal’s William Saliba and Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger.

Southampton’s Paul Onuachu is a contender for the Puskás Award, which celebrates the year’s best goal in men’s football.

His remarkable scorpion kick for Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig gained international acclaim and secured him a nomination.

Fans can vote for their favorites until December 10 on FIFA’s official website, with winners determined through public votes and input from an expert panel.

The 2024 FIFA Best Awards mark a significant milestone for Nigerian football, as these four players are celebrated for their exceptional contributions on the global stage.