It’s 7 Years Without Goal King Rashidi Yekini

Rashidi Yekini, scorer of Nigeria’s first goal in a World Cup tournament who also holds the record of the highest number of goals for Nigeria’s senior male team died exactly seven years ago, this Saturday.

Yekini who scored 37 goals for Nigeria’s senor team in 58 outings is generally regarded as one of the country’s most prolific strikers ever. He was known as Gangling Rashidi on account of his imposing height and build.

However, Yekini who died under controversial albeit miserable conditions in Ibadan, Oyo State is not being remembered despite an illustrious career that brought fulfilment to many soccer buffs during his playing days.

He represented Nigeria in the USA World Cup in 1994 and in France “98 tournament.

In 253 club appearances for 13 local and international clubs, Yekini pushed in 164 goals being most prolific at Vitória Setúbal where he scored 90 goals between 1990 and 1994 in 114 appearances.

He also pushed in 45 goals in 53 appearances for Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

His professional football career started in 1981 in Kaduna with UNTL and ended in 2005 with Gateway FC.

Yekini married three wives and had three daughters, namely, Yemisi, Omoyemi and Damilola.

He was 48 when he died on May 4, 2012. He had reportedly suffered from depression and other psychiatric related issues.

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