Tag: African footballer of the year

Today we remember former Super Eagles striker Rashidi Yekini, who passed on in his home town in Ibadan, Oyo state South-West Nigeria.

Yekini, a member of the golden generation super Eagles that conquered Africa in 1994 remains Super Eagles all-time highest goal scorer with 37 goals.

On June 21, 1994, the late Rasheed Yekini made history at the World Cup. He became the first Nigerian to score in a FIFA World Cup in Nigeria’s first match against Bulgaria in Dallas United States.

Memory of that goal still lingers, in the minds of all who watched his goal celebration. Yekini ran into the net held tight on to it and in a manner that suggests he was shedding tears of joy, and shouted “Rashidi! Yekini!!

Yekini is Nigeria’s most accomplished striker, he won the African footballer of the year award in 1993. During his hey days, he was a threat to any goalkeeper he had a date with, as he had a clinical finishing that was next to none.

His finishing became so predictable that he was nick-named "King of Goals", a name which he never shared with anyone even after retirement.

He died of depression on May 4, 2012 and will forever be remembered for the honour which he brought to Nigeria. Yekini, remains a legend that lives on.