‘SENANELO’S GOAL DESERVES PUSKÁS NOMINATION’

MBABANE – Local football enthusiasts firmly believe that Senanelo Nkambule’s stunning goal for Moneni Pirates merits a nomination for FIFA’s prestigious Puskás Award.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Puskás Award is an annual accolade presented by the football’s international governing body, to honour the best goal scored in the previous calendar year.

Named after the legendary Hungarian player and manager Ferenc Puskás, the award celebrates goals that exemplify excellence in technique, skill and artistry. Since its inception in 2009, it has garnered immense respect within the footballing community. Talented forward Senanelo Nkambule, who had been relatively quiet in the first-half, stunned onlookers with a moment of brilliance in the second half of the 4-2 win after penalties against Manzini Sea Birds, this past Saturday.

Breathtaking

In the 60th minute, Nkambule’s breathtaking overhead kick, following a cross from defender Vukile Khumalo, soared into the top corner from the edge of the box. This extraordinary strike left fans in awe and was instantly regarded as a ‘goal of the tournament’ contender. Speaking after the match, Nkambule expressed his delight in helping his team progress to the semi-finals: “I am happy to score the goal for my team and happy that we progressed to the semi-finals.”

African players have previously shone on the Puskás stage. In 2018, Egyptian superstar Mo Salah clinched the award for his stunning solo goal against Everton during the Merseyside derby. Salah’s goal, a dazzling display of dribbling past four defenders before scoring, epitomised technical mastery and composure. South African players have also left their mark.
Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic volley against Mexico in the 2010 FIFA World Cup opener earned him a nomination that same year.

Similarly, Baroka goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke’s audacious bicycle kick in 2016, scored in the dying moments of a dramatic 2-2 draw against Orlando Pirates, received worldwide acclaim and a Puskás nomination. To qualify for the Puskás Award, a goal must meet FIFA’s stringent criteria: it must be scored between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year, from domestic league, continental cup or international fixtures and demonstrate exceptional skill, technical brilliance and creativity, standing out as more than just an ordinary strike.

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