By Johnny Edward:
Fortuna Sittard coach Sunday Oliseh says it will be difficult for Nigeria to discover another talent like the Late Super Eagles striker Rashidi Yekini who died on May 4, 2012, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
An emotional Oliseh paid tribute to the late Yekini on Thursday as Nigeria and the football world marked the fifth year remembrance of the former Super Eagles striker's death.
The former Nigeria captain and coach reckoned he actually got the famous nickname "The Pass Master" due to the clinical styles with which Yekini converted such assists into goals.
"The Late Yekini was everything a team needed in attack," Oliseh told Completesportsnigeria.com.
"He virtually made us look great with the way he scored goals and at that time people started recognising players who made assists.
"As a team, we all knew if he was through on goal the chances of him scoring was as high as 90%. He was that good,"
"The way he clinically finished off passes from me and the others was always awesome.
"Yekini will never be forgotten, never. And it will be very difficult to find another striker just like him. He was a blessing to our generation."
Yekini is still Nigeria's top scorer in history with 36 goals.
He featured in two senior FIFA World Cups and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 with the Super Eagles. He was voted African Player of the Year in 1993.
COMMENTS
But you were one of those who ganged up against him during 1994 World Cup. You guys refused to pass the ball.
I recalled most of the younger players then including you Oliseh did not really like him because of the accolade he was rightly getting despite the fact that recognition was also given to players who assisted him.
I don't think Oliseh was part. If you watch the highlight against Bulgaria in USA 94, vividly, Oliseh and Uche Okechukwu were the first to go hug him in the net from the midfield, when the likes of Amuneke, Finidi and Amokachi that were closer to him turned away.