Today, May 4 marks eight years after the demise of famous Nigerian born player, Rashidi Yekini who died in the year 2012 at the age of 48.
In a tweet by one of his children, Yemi Yekini, she described the late footballer as a legend that would forever live in the heart of many.
The tweet reads, “It has been eight 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 lifetime. You are forever in our heart YEKINI. Keep resting.”
Meanwhile, Sunday Oliseh, Kennedy Boboye, Anthony Baffoe, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and a host of other football figures have also paid tribute to late Yekini.
In a post on his Twitter handle, Ex-Nigeria international & Akwa United head coach, Kenny Boboye described Yekini as one of the few African strikers who inspired him during his playing career.
Also, Anthony Baffoe said, “One of Africa’s most terrific strikers Rashidi Yekini -today marks his 8th year of leaving us. Continue resting in Peace Rashidi.
Sunday Oliseh tweeted on his Twitter handle “8 years ago Today; we lost Nigeria’s greatest striker of all time in Rashidi Yekini. May his blessed soul rest in Peace.
Mutiu Adeoju said In loving memory of Rasheed Yekini Legend Immortality.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF also posted on its Twitter handle and described late Yekini as one of the World’s most feared strikers.
FIFA WORLD CUP in a tweet described the late striker as one of the most iconic celebrations in WorldCup history after scoring the Super Eagles’ first-ever goal in the competition.
8 Things About Yekini, Eight Years After His Demise
1. Apart from playing for Nigeria National football league, Rashidi Yekini also played in six other countries.
2. He scored 37 goals for Nigeria and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups.
3. In the year 1993, Yekini was also named the African Footballer of the Year.
4. He moved to Côte d’Ivoire, after starting his professional career in the Nigerian league.
5. Yekini helped the Super Eagles win Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994.
6. He played with FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports.
7. At the age of 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC In 2003.
8. The late player who died in Ibadan on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48 after suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, and some other undisclosed psychiatric condition.
You will recall that Rashidi Yekini also represented Shooting Stars, Vitoria Setubal, Olympiacos, Sporting Gijon before ending his career at Gateway in 2005.
May his soul rest in Peace.
