On this day eight years ago, it was sun set for Nigeria football when the country’s first scorer at the FIFA World Cup, Rashidi Yekini passed on.
Popularly referred to as Baba Yekini in the later days of his career, the lanky Super Eagles forward scored 37 times for Nigeria in his 18 year stint in the green and white colours of the country.
Born in Kaduna state on October 23 1963, Yekini began his professional career in 1981 With United Textile Limited UNTL FC in Kaduna, he joined Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan a year later where spent two years scoring 45 goals in 53 appearances.
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Yekini moved to Abiola Babes after another two years and joined Ivorien side Africa Sports Nationale.
His goal scoring exploit attracted calls from Europe and he moved to Portuguese side Victoria Setuba in 1990 for a four year deal.
He was the toast of fans at Setubal where he scored 91 goals in 114 matches.
Rashidi Yekini was crowned the Africa footballer of the year in 1992 after helping the Super Eagles win bronze at the Senegal 92 nations cup, two years later he emerged the highest goal scorer at the Tunisia 94 nations as Nigeria were crowned African champions for the second time.
After helping Nigeria to qualify for the FIFA world cup for the first time, Yekini scored the country’s first ever goal at the finals in USA 94.
He died in Ibadan, his state of origin on May 4 2012 aged 48.
