Fans and football bodies around the world have paid tribute to Nigeria Super Eagles’ top scorer and striker Rashidi Yekini, seven years after his death.
Yekini, who is still Nigeria’s all-time top scorer with 37 goals in 58 games, died in Ibadan on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.
The iconic player is remembered for a lot of achievements during his professional career, which spanned more than two decades.
He is, however, mostly remembered for his efforts during the 1994 edition of the World Cup where he scored the country’s first-ever goal during the play against Bulgaria.
His celebration after scoring, screaming and crying while holding the goal’s net, became one of the iconic images of the tournament and the 1994 FIFA World Cups.
During his career, Yekini was mainly associated with Portuguese sports club Vitória de Setúbal, but he also played in six other countries besides his own.
He represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups and was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
Yekini was reported to be ill for an extended period of time. In 2011, news media in Nigeria begun issuing reports of his failing health, and he was said to suffer from bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric condition.
He died in Ibadan at the age of 48, the news being confirmed by former national teammates Mutiu Adepoju and Ike Shorunmu.
Yekini was buried at his residence in Ira, Kwara State.
See tributes for Rashidi Yekini below;
Today we remember one of the World’s most feared strikers of his time, Rashidi Yekini who passed on to glory on this day in 2012. May his soul continue to Rest In Peace. #RIPYekini #GoalsFather #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jsStrong pic.twitter.com/yA6Sp4wM2I
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) May 4, 2020
It been 8 years since OUR Dad, Super Eagles Legend Rashidi
Yekini passed on.
We can’t forget all the memories and joy you gave us your children during your life time.You’re forever in our heart YEKINI.
Keep resting.Read between the lines before you ask me jamb question😏😴 pic.twitter.com/ocaSGzqUwY
— OluwaRantimi Yekinni | Amala Babe (@rhounty) May 4, 2020
Rest In Peace, Rashidi Yekini.
He remains the top scorer of the Nigerian National Football Team.
Legend! pic.twitter.com/KaRm7Vp9SR
— lovefootballng (@lovefootballng) May 4, 2020
I saw you countless times during NYSC in Ibadan & coming to Challenge to eat amala & people still respect & chant your name as a legend.
The Greatest Striker in the history of Nigeria.
8 years gone but forever in our hearts.
Rashidi Yekini. Rest on! pic.twitter.com/U3zVcTmNHp
— POOJA… (@PoojaMedia) May 4, 2020
Nigeria’s finest, my hero – Rashidi Yekini
Caps: 58
Goals: 37 (National record)1963-2012. Rest on King! Your legend will live forever. 🙏🏾#SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/5fvfOrMyb2
— Bolarinwa Olajide (@iambolar) May 4, 2020
🇳🇬Rashidi Yekini: 8 yrs on
• Nigeria’s highest ⚽ scorer
• Scored Nigeria’s 1st World Cup ⚽
• African Footballer of The Year 93
• AFCON 🏅🥈🥈🥉
• Portugese League Top Scorer 94
• AFCON Top Scorer 92 & 94
• Tunis 94 Best Player
• 3rd AFCON highest ⚽ scorer (13). pic.twitter.com/F1chB33Tjn
— FAST TRACK (@FastTrackNaija) May 4, 2020
#OTD in 2012: Football lost 1993 African Footballer of the Year Rashidi Yekini at the age of 48.#Nigeria‘s top scorer with 37 goals in 58 games.
There was pride in his achievements, sadness at his death and anger at the way he had been treated by some.pic.twitter.com/5P8nflL0eD
— Oluwashina Okeleji (@oluwashina) May 4, 2020
Who can forget this iconic World Cup image of Rashidi Yekini?! Impossible!
Can’t believe it’s 8 years already. One of my favourite all-time Nigerian players 🇳🇬 Sad I will never fulfil my dream of interviewing you.
Keep resting in peace African football legend ⚽️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/5ZpebuTYrt
— Mimi Fawaz (@MimosaFawaz) May 4, 2020
I was a little kid when the Legend Rashid Yekini scored our first ever world cup goal, though I couldn’t understand the reason people in the room that day were all shouting but I saw the joy and tears of happiness and I knew we just bagged something great!
Rest on Rashidi Yekini pic.twitter.com/r0K31MYTC8— Neilly Elzar Joseph (@Mambo_da_vyruz) May 4, 2020
One of Africa’s most terrific strikers Rashidi Yekini -today marks his 8th year of leaving us.Continue resting in peace Rashidi 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿✊🏿✊🏿✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/MuIggfjwBt
— Anthony Baffoe (@AnthonyBaffoe) May 4, 2020
