An Algerian star's wonder goal against Bafana Bafana has suffered a second snub in quick succession after it was nominated for the Puskas Prize at The Best FIFA Football Awards.
In March 2024, Algerian star Yassine Benzia scored a stunning acrobatic goal against Bafana during the FIFA Series friendly match.
Read: African star bemoans CAF after losing award to Williams
Yassine Benzia took overhead kicks to a whole new level. ?????? Does he get your vote for Goal of the Year? (https://t.co/cYYdRIdVTX) ???#CAFAwards2024 pic.twitter.com/96IBSv9Lpg
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) December 3, 2024
The match ended 3-3, with Themba Zwane scoring a brace and Iqraam Rayners adding another for South Africa. For Algeria, Benzia opened the scoring before Yacine Brahimi netted the nation's second.
However, it was Benzia's second goal and Algeria's third of the match that would go on to make continental and international headlines, with the 30-year-old's ambitious overhead kick earning widespread recognition.
As such, it was nominated alongside 10 other candidates for the Best Goal of the Year award at the CAF Awards on Monday but lost out to Angolan star Mabululu's strike at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
A day later, on Tuesday, FIFA staged their own award ceremony, where Benzia's goal against Hugo Broos' side was again nominated for the Puskas Award.
However, the result remained the same, as Benzia lost the honour to Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho's bicycle kick against Everton.
Alejandro Garnacho's spectacular bicycle kick against Everton has won the 2024 FIFA Puskas Award ???? pic.twitter.com/O3pOzzbOUR
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 17, 2024