Biography of Rashidi Yekini

Yekini was born in Kaduna. After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Côte d'Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitória de Setúbal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division's top scorer, in 1993–94, as his performances (32 matches, 34 goals) earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from the nation. In the 1994 summer, Yekini was bought by Olympiacos FC, but did not get along with teammates and left. His career never really got back on track, not even upon a return to Setúbal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijón. He successively played with FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before rejoining Africa Sports. In 2003, at 39, he returned to the Nigerian championship with Julius Berger FC. In 2005, 41-year old Yekini made a short comeback, moving alongside former national teammate Mobi Oparaku to Gateway United FC in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. International career Scoring 37 goals for Nigeria's national side in 58 appearances,[2] Yekini is the national record goalscorer. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994 FIFA World Cup (where he scored Nigeria's first-ever goal in a World Cup, in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria) and the 1998 World Cup. Additionally, Yekini also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts, and participated at Olympic level, in Seoul 1988. Personal life and death Yekini was severally reported to be ill for an extended period of time. In 2011, the news media in Nigeria had been awash with stories of his failing health, he was said to have suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed neurological defect. Yekini, a devout Muslim, lived alone in his home, in Ibadan, southwest Nigeria, despite having three wives and three children. News of his death began to appear on several online blogs and social media sites on 4 May 2012 and were confirmed by his former teammates from the 1994 FIFA World Cup Super Eagles squad, Mutiu Adepoju and Ike Shorunmu[5]. He reportedly died in a private hospital in Ibadan and is to be buried in his native Kwara State a day after his passing, according to Muslim custom. Legacy Rashidi Yekini’s name would forever be remembered in the history of African football for his great achievements. He will be remembered for being a "goal scorer of great technique and a calm touch in front of goal" and his performances for Nigeria's national team in the 90s. From 1993-1994, as his performances (34 goals in 32 matches) was part of what contributed to him being given the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, the first ever from Nigeria.