Nigerians mourn Rashidi Yekini

By Tosin Olakotan

It’s no longer news that Nigeria has lost another legend. Former Super Eagles striker Rashidi Yekini was confirmed dead at exactly 9:35 pm on Friday May 4, 2012, after a brief illness. Though many believe he died in his hometown in Kwara, a close and reliable source confirmed that he died in a private hospital in Ibadan, where he had allegedly been receiving treatment for a mental disorder.

According to Toyin Ojo, the deceased’s neighbour who spoke with NET in Ibadan, Saturday May 5, Yekini was taken out of his house forcefully by his family members on Easter Monday.

‘He was taken away on the 8th of last month by his family members who believed he is mad. They tied his legs and forced him into his car and since then, nobody told us anything until we heard of his news on facebook yesterday’ she said.

Born October 23, 1964 in Kaduna, Rashidi Yekini played in the Nigeria Premier League before seeking greener pastures in Cote d’ Ivoire, where he played for Africa Sports. He later went to Portugal and Victoria Setubal where he became top scorer in the Portuguese league.

His performance earned him the African Footballer of the year award in 1993. In 1994, Yekini scored Nigeria’s first world cup goal against Bulgaria. He scored a total number of 37 goals in 58 games for the Nigerian  national team, Super Eagles.

His goal against Bulgaria at USA 1994 World cup in a match that ended 3-0 in favour of Nigeria is one of the country’s most memorable football moments. His simple tap-in strike gave the Super Eagles the needed confidence to go all the way in the memorable World Cup, before Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ ended their dream.

It’s not just the goal that will linger in Nigerians minds when they remember Rashidi Yekini; his expression of joy and celebration after the goal is unforgettable. He gripped the netting and wailed with delight, throwing his fists into the air to enjoy his moment of glory. Yekini’s team-mates allowed him to blow off steam in the glory of Nigeria’s first goal in the World Cup before he untangled himself to take their acclaim. The image of the forward letting it all out remains one of the iconic moments in World Cup history.

Last year, a newspaper published a story on the football legend, with photographs of his estate looking unkempt and overgrown with weeds. The paper also speculated on his believed abnormal behaviour.

In our curiosity to confirm Yekini’s condition prior to his death, our reporter travelled to his house in Ibadan, which was found locked and abandoned.

Speaking to Toyin Ojo, a neighbour, she explained that ‘Alhaji Rashidi was bundled out of his house’ on Easter Monday, April 8, 2012 around 12pm on his way back home from Liberty stadium where he trained every day.

‘Alhaji (Yekini) was coming from training when his family members blocked his way and tied his legs with rope, forcing him into his car.’

When asked if the father of three had caused any problems in the neighbourhood, she was eager to deny the rumours of him having mental problems, insisting he was simply selective of the people he talked to.

‘He never fought anybody, in fact, he is generous and friendly but can’t talk to everybody on street. Why would people think he is mad? Can a mad man drive every day? Fuel his generator without any accident, maintain a particular lifestyle without causing troubles nor interfere in another man’s business? Rashidi Yekini was never mad.’

Another neighbour, who wanted to stay anonymous, further explained that Yekini was  a philanthropist who frequently gave his neighbours various items during Ramadan and other festivals. It was said that the footballer also used to give out items on fridays to beggars and the disabled.

The neighbour said Yekini’s family members had been complaining that the former football star always denied them entrance whenever they paid visits, and guessed that was the reason they concluded he was mad.

Rashidi’s neighbourstold NET that while he didn’t frequently associate with people in the environment, and might not always have answered when he was greeted; he was ‘well in the head.’

However, the deceased’s mother told Super Sport over the weekend, that the late footballer was indeed battling mental illness.

Sikiratu Yekini disclosed that her son had been battling mental illness since the year 2010 and that several attempts made to take care of him proved abortive as the deceased on many occasions claimed he was mentally sound.

‘We have been on the problem since 2010 and we tried our best but my son refused to be taken care of’, Yekini said.

‘When he came back, we asked him why he has done what he did but he replied by burning all his belongings. I lost my husband in 1978 and Rashidi has been with me since then’, she added.

Just before he was taken away in April, the neighbours said they noticed he was cleaning his house and when asked, Yekini said his first child Yemi was coming to visit, but they say Yemi didn’t show up until last week, with her mother.

Before his death, Yekini enjoyed his football career as a legend and a player to be reckoned with. To show his love and commitment to his country, Rashidi Yekini ended his career at Gateway FC of Abeokuta, where he was signed for the low fee of N500,000. The striker however always insisted he was playing for the joy, not the money.

Before his death, Rashidi lived a reclusive life. Reports say he never had a tenant or any close relatives or friends stay with him in his three building estate, but claim that after his exit, some of his family members would come by to clean his house once in a while.

When asked about the financial status of the deceased, they confidently confirmed he was never poor.

‘He was comfortable and philanthropic, always giving people and never had any reason to buy anything around the neighbourhood except kerosene, to burn paper in his house. Alhaji lowo to fi ku ni, ko je enikeni ni gbese koto ku ode ma n sanu fun awon opo ati alaini. (Alhaji was rich till his death, he owed nobody and was a cheerful giver, he always gave to the poor and widows)’ said another neighbour.

According to our sources, Rashidi Yekini had another house in Oluyole estate in Ibadan, a house in Abuja, another in France, and had built one for his mother in Kwara.

Rashidi Yekini was laid to rest at 4pm on Saturday May 5, 2012, at his home town Ira, Kwara state. With over 500 sympathisers present, the Chief Imam of Kwara state officiated the ceremony.

Rashidi Yekini represented Nigeria at the 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994 Africa Nations Cup finals, and remains the all-time top scorer for Nigeria’s National team.

He is survived by two wives and three children. Our source confirmed that his first wife, a Nurse, has remarried but still had a cordial relationship with the striker.

Nigerians continue to mourn the late footballer, with many condemning the way he was ‘buried like a pauper’.