Arsenal's Olivier Giroud Wins FIFA Puskas Award for Wondergoal

Africa's wait for a FIFA Puskas Award victor continues after Olivier Giroud pipped Oscarine Masuluke to the goal of the season prize at The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony in London on Monday.

Olivier Giroud took home the prize for his fabulous scorpion kick at the end of a superb team move against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on January 1.

The France worldwide beat out Masuluke and Venezuela's Deyna Castellanos for the award.

Giroud, 31, won the award at a star-studded bash hosted by A-lister Idris Elba at the London Palladium. I'm delighted to receive this trophy in front of legends of football.

"I would like to thank the people who voted for me".

"Thanks to those who voted for me and congratulations to the other nominees".

Giroud has scored four goals this season for club and country.

"Obviously I would like to thank my team-mates, without them I couldn't score maybe this goal, and my family". "While I would also like to dedicate this to my father".

Masuluke, who hails from Giyani, a north-eastern town in the Limpopo province, would have made history as the first African to win the Puskas Award.

Masuluke also provided late drama with his moment of magic when he ventured forward for a corner against Orlando Pirates and wiped out a 1-0 deficit with a dazzling overhead kick.