Late Super Eagles legend, Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria’s first goal in a senior World Cup
By Dave Iyima
Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has described the late Rashidi Yekini as one of the best strikers the African continent has produced on the eighth year anniversary of his death.
The eulogy was contained in a statement Monday from Media Office to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development.
According to Sunday Dare, “He was a delight to watch during his playing days. He scored some of the most fantastic goals that left some goal keepers helpless.
“Rashidi Yekini will forever be remembered as legend of football in Africa not just Nigeria”.
Dare concluded by saying, “May his soul continue to rest in peace”.
Yekini, an all time highest goal scorer of the Nigerian senior national team making 58 appearances and scoring 37 goals for the team, passed away on 4th of May, 2012 at the age of 48.
A native of Kwara State, Ira to be precisely. Rashidi Yekini was born in Kaduna and played for UNTL Football Club of Kaduna. He began his professional football career in Ivory Coast. Some of the clubs he played in the country include; Abiola Babes, 3SC, Julius Berger and Gateway FC where he retired as a footballer.
The former Africa footballer of the year was Premeira Liga’s top scorer in the 1993-94 season scoring 21 goals.
The high point in his professional football career was in Portugal where he played for Victoria de Setubal.
