Reports reaching us from Kwara state, is that the Legend Rashidi Yekini has died aged 48.
He was apparently sick for a while and was taken to Kwara State for Treatment.
NigerianEye was able to get in Touch with a family member who has sadly confirmed the story and says he will be buried according to Islamic rites tomorrow in Ilah, Kwara State.
A Sad day for sports in Nigeria
Rashidi Yekini Scored Nigeria's Ever FIFA World Cup goal, clutching the goal net thereafter.
He scored a total of 34 goals in 58 Appearances for the Super Eagles.
Rashidi Yekini was born in Kaduna on 23rd of October, 1963 . After starting his professional career in the Nigerian league, he moved to Cote d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports National. From there he went to Portugal and Vitoria de Setubal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first division’s top scorer, in 1993-1994, 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 Setubal, which happened after another unassuming spell, in La Liga with Sporting de Gijon.
He successively played with FC Zurich, Club Athletique 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 FC.
Rashidi Yekini’s name would forever be remembered in the history of Nigerian football for his great achievements. He was aged 48.
May His Soul rest in peace.
Below is a video of the Super Eagles team to the USA 94 World cup, in Which Rashidi Yekini made history, becoming the first Nigerian to score at the FIFA World cup
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May God rest his soul! Amen..
ReplyDeleteA fine fine player for Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteDescansa en paz, desde Gijon SPAIN
ReplyDeleteso sad to hear.........may his soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleterest in peace Yekini, from Spain. The Sporting of Gijon supporters do not forget you.
ReplyDeleteIna llilahi wa ino ileehim ragehun,may iz soul rest in peace
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS A PAINFUL NEWS TO ALL SPORT LOVELY NIGERIAN,WHO KNOWS WHAT HE DID FOR THE COUNTRY IN THE PAST,WELL I WILL CALL HIM A LEGEND OF ALL TIME,RIP....
ReplyDeleteMay His soul rest in peace
ReplyDeletehow sweet i hope you'l b remember for your good work. Nigeria! We hail thee!
ReplyDeleteRIP Rasheed Yekini , from Gijon -Spain- Never forget you.
ReplyDeletesince he left d super eagles... Not a suitable replacement for him. He wld be missed, rest in peace... Yeking!
ReplyDeleteMay his gentle sould rest in Perfect peace and may the Lord forgive all our leaders that faileD to assist this Patriotic Nigerian that gave his best for Nigeria. Good Night Rashidi Yekini
ReplyDeleteMay your soul rest in peace, you will never be replaced!
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest with the great beyound...yekini your memory lives on in our heart...my condolences to his entire family!
ReplyDeleteWot a great player we lost,wot a great player he'll always be.No 1 like you till date.I just hope Nigerians will forever remember and honour him for his contributions to Nigerian football.You are fondly remembered,RIP Rashidi Yekini!
ReplyDeleteBros Yekini, this is a great loss to Nigeria Superb Eagles, Nigeria Footbal Federation n the Nation at large. RIP
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in peace.The legacy that u left behind lives on
ReplyDeleteI'm still in shock!! Setúbal and Vitória will be devastated with this news Yekini was and allways will be a hero for our supportors! ! R I P Yekini :'( !
ReplyDeleteNigerian/governmnt dnt celebrat/appreciat does dt contributd 2 d success of dis country whn alive bt did after death. Adiu Yekini!
ReplyDeletemay his soul rest in perfect peace, our hero, we hail thee
ReplyDeleteRIP our futball legend yekini.
ReplyDeleteIm Dumbstruck......so so sad....May God Almighty make Aljannah his resting place....and rest his soul...ul b missed.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in Peace!
ReplyDeleteOh! This is the story of a man. To Him we came from and to Him shal we returned. May his soul rest in perfect peace and may God grant the family the fortitude to bear the lost.
ReplyDeleteLet us change the habit of praising and appreciating people only after death
ReplyDeleteWe all from Allah and surely return to him, our coment can not bring him back { the nigeria football hero'ABDUL ROSHEED ALAMOLYEKIN' rest in perfect peace}
ReplyDeleteWith a heavy heavy heart I say, RIP - Yekini
ReplyDeleteone day it will be our own turn, Rashidi left an impact on Nigeria what will you and me be remember for ,think about it.May his soul found peace with God
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in perfect peace
ReplyDeleteMay his soul find rest & peace in Al jannah, amin.
ReplyDeletewhat a great player, legend u will forever be remember for your contribution to Nigeria sport. may is soul rest in peace and pray GOD will give is wifes,childred and the family at large the fortitude to bear this irreparable lost. adieu rasheed yekini
ReplyDeleteRIP, Yeking! Adieu
ReplyDeleteMay Allah grant him aljannatu firdus.
ReplyDeleteI join my colleague football lovers, who have expressed their feelings & opinions above to say "May God our creator accept his soul & give it eternal rest" Amen. THE GANGLING YEKINI as he was fondly called by our football commentators shall ever live green in our memories. May HE also give his family de heart to bear de loss. Adieu Baba Rashidi. Till we met to enjoy ur game better in de Lord's Paradise.
ReplyDeleteour leaders should learn how to assist their citizenry especially those that has contribute positivelly to this contry.may his soul rest in peace.and he should be immortalise
ReplyDeleteINNALILLAHI WA INNA ILLAIHIM RAJIUN
ReplyDelete...when will this country begin to take care of those that have served her meritoriously?. Sometimes ago, there was a rumor about the late Legend's ill health (whether confirmed or not), I am not sure NFF nor any of its affiliates did anything about that. So very sad; I still remember staying up late that night to see the great Ye-king did Nigeria proud against Bulgaria. May his soul find eternal peace.
ReplyDeleteThe best out of the best striker ever produced by Nigerian {FA} May His Gentle Soul Rest In Peace...Amin
ReplyDeletemay his soul rest in peace, amen.
ReplyDeleteEven though we still cannot find replacement for him in Super Eagle. He left us finally. Bye to a Goal-getter Yekini......
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in peace, he has done Nigeria proud in the past, of course he is a Legend in Nigeria football RiP
ReplyDeletereally, really sad to hear. The government and FA who have used them dry will now start running around to celebrate them in thier death.
ReplyDeleteWhen are we going to start celebrating our heros in this country?
MAY HIS GENTLE SOUL R.I.P
ReplyDeleteIs a big loss to we Nigerian losing a great player we are happy because you have made the country and yourself proud i believe you pass on because we soccer lovers in this country will always remember you Yekini. May the good lord grant you internal rest, goodbye our Legend
ReplyDeleteWhao! God how grate u are. I remember dat day when Rashid made super be winner.there is dis a song we sang says; emi rashidi yekini,moge numba 1 moge numba 2 moge numba 3 titi dori numba 10 owa ku keaper is a goal. Hah! Rashid Yekini may ur soul rest peace.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in perfect peace...
ReplyDeleteMay his gentle soul rest in peace. He remains an hero.
ReplyDeleteAnother legend... His name lives on.
ReplyDeletewaho it is a great lost to all Nigeria not only football fans but entirely Nation becouse of the good job he did, lifting our great nation up during his life time may God almighty grant him Alijana fridus amen bye Abdul Rasid Abdul Yekini By Sulyman Ibn Musa
ReplyDeleteJust like the legend Sam Okwaraji!,YEKS" you wil 4eva live in the heart of the bornafyt Nigerians, SLEEP TIGHT..:(.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul rest in perfect peace.
ReplyDeletemay Allah received him into his mercy and grant him a perfect peace.Ameen.
ReplyDeleteRest in the peace of the Lord Greatman.
ReplyDelete2:55am 1994 @USA will never be forgotten in the heart of all Nigerian, the day u make Nigeria proud! The best out of the best striker ever produced by Nigeria. Rashidi YeKING u shall ever live green in our memories. RIP.
ReplyDeleteSharror- PH
may he found a place in the sight of almghty god for he was a kind an a best thing that happen to nigeria team may his soul rest in the botom of god
ReplyDelete