Football Legend, Rashidi Yekini Laid To Rest

 

Former Nigerian football international, Rashidi Yekini was buried yesterday in his home town in Kwara  State. Rashidi Yekini was confirmed dead in his hometown,Irra, Oyun local government in Kwara State on Friday after years of illness. The mother of the deceased, Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini divulged to SuperSport.com that his son has been battling with mental illness since the year 2010.  

 

 

Rashidi Yekini scored Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goal at the USA 1994 competition when the country first participated at the tournament. He is Nigeria’s all time scorer for the national team.

He died at the age of 48. He is survived by an aged mother.

 

Brief history
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.

Yekini scored 37 goals for Nigeria’s national side in 58 appearances, and is the national record goalscorer.


So many sad things have been heard about him in recent times,ranging from alleged mental stress to spiritual attack. But Rasheed Yekini,the once beautiful bride of the Super Eagles is gradually bouncing back.

Contrary to report making the round that he is homeless, he actually has a four bedroom flat on Ring Road,beside the famous Oni & Sons complex in the ancient town where he stays.

Though,he was said to have gone broke for years,the death of his confidant,one Ibraheem,a very wealthy bureau de change operator in Sabo area of Ibadan turned things for the worse for him.

The ex soccer star was reported to be leaning on Ibraheem for his financial needs,before the guy was hacked down by notorious armed bandits,who raided his shop and shot him dead.

The incident, it was further gathered, nearly turned him into destitute, as he had to cope with loneliness.

However, sources close to him informed us that his family who had initially abandoned him to his fate had come to his rescue.

He is trying to venture into a new business after unsuccessful attempts in the past. 


May his Soul rest in perfect peace.