Soccer News of Tuesday, 22 November 2016

Source: ghanasoccernet.com

FIFA snubs Augustine Okrah for Puskas Award

Augustine Okrah Augustine Okrah

Ghanaian midfielder Augustine Okrah failed to make the 10-man shortlist for the 2016 FIFA Puskas Award despite scoring a stupendous rabona in the Sudanese Premier League.

Okrah, then playing for Al Merreikh, hit the byline before criss-crossing his left leg to toe-poke the ball past the goalkeeper.
His goal dominated the headlines and it was continuously showed on television.

But South Africa international Hlompho Kekana made the cut after scoring from the halfway line against Cameroon in an African Nations Cup qualifier in March.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Saul Niguez are among the 10 nominees.

Messi's free kick in Argentina's Copa America 4-0 semifinal victory over United States, Neymar's flick and volley for Barcelona against Villarreal and Saul's sublime solo effort for Atletico Madrid in their Champions League semifinal win over Bayern Munich are among the leading contenders.

Spain full-back Mario Gaspar is nominated for his acrobatic volley in last November's friendly victory over England, while Hal Robson-Kanu's neat turn and finish in Wales' surprise Euro 2016 quarterfinal victory over Belgium is also on the list.