Okocha Backing Oscarine To Win Puskas Award Ahead Of Arsenal, Man Utd Stars

Speaking after football's governing body, Fifa, announced the ten-goal shortlist for the FIFA Puskás Award, former Nigeria captain Austin Okocha is backing Baroka FC goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke to win the prestigious award.

The South African goalkeeper made international headlines when he scored an overhead kick in the 96th minute of a Premier Soccer League match between Baroka and Orlando Pirates at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 30th November 2016.

Masuluke's goal is in the running for the FIFA Puskás Award, and has he to see off competition from ex-Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud, Celtic's Moussa Dembele and six other nominees.

Okocha told Fifa's official website : ''I think they were all amazing goals, but the one I will vote for is the goalkeeper [Oscarine Masuluke] because it happens very rarely.

''It’s not just very rare for a goalkeeper to score, but to score a bicycle kick in the last minute of the game as well. I think it’s special.''

Malaysian Mohd Faiz Subri won the FIFA Puskás Award in 2016 for his incredible free kick.

Nominees

Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana/Las Palmas/23.10.2016)
Alejandro Camargo (Argentina/Universidad de Conception/04.12.2016)
Deyna Castellanos (Venezuela/Venezuela U-17 Women national team/24.10.2016)
Moussa Dembele (France/Celtic FC/05.02.2017)
Olivier Giroud (France/Arsenal/01.01.2017)
Aviles Hurtado (Colombia/Tijuana Xolos/01.04.2017)
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia/Juventus/03.06.2017)
Oscarine Masuluke (South Africa/Baroka FC/30.11.2016)
Nemanja Matic (Serbia/Chelsea/23.04.2017)
Jordi Mboula (Spain/ FC Barcelona Youth/22.02.2017)

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fifa.com