The world football governing body (FIFA), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and football greats on Monday paid tributes to Rashidi Yekini, eight years after his death.
Yekini, who died on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48, represented Nigeria in five major tournaments. He also earned 58 appearances for the national team, scoring 37 goals — making him the country’s all time highest goal scorer.
He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, led in the tributes for the player who scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal at USA 1994.
“He was a delight to watch during his playing days. He scored some of the most fantastic goals that left some goal keepers helpless,” Dare said in a statement.
“Rashidi Yekini will forever be remembered as legend of football in Africa not just Nigeria. May his soul continue to Rest In Peace.”
Quite a number of football greats including the likes of Mutiu Adepoju, Sunday Oliseh, Kennedy Boboye, Anthony Baffoe have taken to their different Twitter pages to honour the late footballer.
Here are some glowing tributes shared on Twitter:
8 years ago Today, we lost Nigeria’s greatest striker of all time in Rashidi Yekini. May his blessed soul rest in Peace pic.twitter.com/QDQBAVgTYF
— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) May 4, 2020
Rasheed Yekini produced one of the most iconic celebrations in #WorldCup history after scoring the @NGSuperEagles’ first-ever goal in the competition
Africa sadly lost of its greatest-ever players #OnThisDay in 2012, but his legend will live on eternally pic.twitter.com/NBn8FHkUNJ
— FIFAWorldCup (@FIFAWorldCup) May 4, 2020
Today we remember one of the World’s most feared strikers of his time, Rashidi Yekini who passed on to glory on this day in 2012. May his soul continue to Rest In Peace. #RIPYekini #GoalsFather #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jsStrong pic.twitter.com/MR6epbZcOe
— The NFF
The great Nigerian striker Rashid Yekini died 8 years ago today
the greatest striker of all time, he scored
pic.twitter.com/9JKBBufcrr
— bedjosessien (@OkinyoCollins) May 4, 2020
I will never forget you, Nigerians will never forget you. Always in our hearts. Rest in peace king Rasheed Yekini. You were created to score goals and your class remains unmatched! #RasheedYekiniLivesOn
— Mutiu Adepoju (@MutiuAdepoju8) May 4, 2020
By this picture and words of the late Rashid Yekini we were told it was: lol
It is me, it is me
I am Rashid Yekini
A son of Nigeria
From Ibadan pic.twitter.com/XrqnBcAd7i— Isaac ‘Opeele’ Boateng (@CoachOpeele) May 4, 2020
On this day 8 years ago, we lost one of the finest strikers in African Football.
Rashid Yekini died in Ibadan , Nigeria at the age of 48 in 2012.
Yekini was the @NGSuperEagles record top scorer and also the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
May he continue RIP.#Legend— Chris Adede
(@CAdede) May 4, 2020
Apaniyan ni manyi o, Rashid Yekini. The goalkeeper had to quickly remove his right hand to avoid a twisted wrist. https://t.co/9bx2nCEhJD
— Aare Int’l (@ShidoOnireason) April 27, 2020
Rashid Yekini!! Nigeria!! Awon eleyi dey shake net!! Legend
https://t.co/moS9b95iYi
— Wale Hameed (@barilhameed) May 4, 2020
One of Africa’s most terrific strikers Rashidi Yekini -today marks his 8th year of leaving us.Continue resting in peace Rashidi
pic.twitter.com/MuIggfjwBt
— Anthony Baffoe (@AnthonyBaffoe) May 4, 2020
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