Ex-Nigerian Striker Rashidi Yekini Is Dead, Aged 48

Reports from Offa, Kwara state have it that the Legend Rashidi Yekini is dead, aged 48. He has been sick for a while and was taken from Ibadan, Oyo State where he lived to his home town Irra, Kwara State for treatment, Yekini was said to have died in his hometown, Irra today [May 4].

Some of Rashidi’s 'trusted' colleagues/friends have also confirmed the death of the ex-Nigerian International.

Rashidi Yekini was born on 23 October 1963 in Kaduna.

Career History of Rashidi Yekini:

After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Côte d'Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitória de Setúbal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division's top scorer, in 1993–94, as his performances (32 matches, 34 goals) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from the nation.

In the 1994 summer, Yekini was bought by Olympiacos FC, but did not get along with teammates and left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setúbal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijón. He successively played with FC Zürich,Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports.

In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC.

In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, moving alongside former national teammate Mobi Oparaku to Gateway FC.

Scoring 37 goals for Nigeria's national side in 58 appearances, Yekini is the national record goals scorer. He was part of the team that participated in the1994 FIFA World Cup (where he scored Nigeria's first-ever goal [as Pictured here] in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria) and the 1998 World Cup.

Additionally, Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts, and participated at Olympic level, in Seoul 1988.

Ex-Nigeria International, Pastor Taribo West also confirmed the sad news to the blogger...

May his soul rest in perfect peace.


VIDEO: Nigeria vs Bulgaria 1994 World Cup Match