The Nigeria Football Federation and Federation of International Football Association have paid glowing tribute to the late former Super Eagles forward Rashidi Yekini, Completesports.com reports.
The late Yekini who is Nigeria’s all time record top scorer with 37 goals in 58 appearances died on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48.
“The legend of Rashidi Yekini lives on. On this day in 2012, Nigeria’s all time top scorer passed on to glory. Keep resting in power, Goals-Father. #WeRememberYekini,” reads a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the NFF on Saturday.
World soccer ruling body, FIFA also posted a short message on their Twitter handle in remembrance of Yekini with a picture of his famous celebration after scoring Nigeria’s opening goal against Bulgaria at the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America underneath it.
“#OnThisDay seven years ago, we lost 🇳🇬@NGSuperEagles legend Rashidi Yekini. The first player to score a World Cup goal for the Super Eagles, his passionate celebration will always have its place in the history of the tournament,” FIFA tweeted.
Nicknamed the Goals Father, Yekini represented Nigeria in five major tournaments, including two World Cups where he scored the Country’s first-ever goal in the competition.
He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first Nigerian footballer to win the award.
Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia where he also topped the goal scorers’ chart, and was named best player of the competition. He also participated at Olympic level in Seoul 1988.
By Adeboye Amosu
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COMMENTS
One of the very best strikers the world has ever seen. May his soul find rest in JEHOVAH GOD’S MERCY SEAT. AMEN. We miss you RACHIDI YEKING YEKINI.
Rest in the perfect peace our HERO
May Allah put him in Aljana Fridaus. Baba yekini, thanks for your contributions.
It is a big disgrace and embarrassing that we don’t appreciate our own in Africa. Most especially in Nigeria.
“NFF Pay Tribute To Nigerian Legend”
If I may ask, in what way? What did they do?
This man deserves a “STATUE” at the front of “Nigeria national stadium”.
Come on NFF. Late Yekini deserves more than this. That is why I am asking you NFF to allowed our ex players to come on board.
The Nigerian highest goal scorer of all time aba, papa Yekini deserves an accolade.
CSN, please pass my message to NFF. Nigeria Football Federation are trying which I understand but they should please looking into this issue. It is baba Yekini’s turn today but it may be your turn tomorrow. A word is a enough for the wise. God bless Nigeria!!!
THE GOAL KING.