The nominations, officially announced by FIFA on Friday, serve as a testament to the players' remarkable achievements and exceptional performances throughout the past year.
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.
Trabzonspor's remarkable 2-1 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig was highlighted by Onuachu's awe-inspiring scorpion kick, which captivated football enthusiasts globally and secured his well-merited nomination for the FIFA Best Awards.
Voting for the FIFA Best Awards is open until December 10th, and can be accessed through the organization's official website.
The FIFA Fan Award and the FIFA Fair Play Award, among other categories, will be determined by a combination of public votes and evaluations by a panel of experts.
This year's awards recognize the exceptional achievements of Nigerian football, as these four players have demonstrated remarkable talent on the international stage.