By Tosin Olakotan
Former Super Eagle powerful striker Rashidi Yekini has been confirmed dead in Ira Offa, Kwara state.
According to a close source, Yekini was sick for a while and was taken to Kwara for treatment but died on May 4, 2012 at about 9:35PM.
While speaking on twitter, sport analyst Colin Udoh first reported: ‘Yekini has been moved from his house to his family house. Word from there is it’s critical at the moment #PrayForYekini and later tweeted CONFIRMED: Former Nigeria striker Rashidi Yekini is dead’
No word yet from his family, or the sports authorities, but super Eagles team mate Mutiu adepoju also confirmed the news to Godwin Enakhena saying Mutiu Adepoju n Felix Owolabi: ‘Godwin, it’s true, Yekini died in Offa where his family took him after hearing of his poor state of health’.
Born October 23, 1964 (48 years) in Kaduna, Rashidi Yekini played in Nigeria Premier League (NPL) before seeking greener pasture in Ivory Coast to play for Africa Sports. He later went to Portugal and Victoria Setubal where he eventually 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 has a total number of 37 goals in 58 games for his country national team, Super Eagles.
Club career
United Nigerian Textiles Limited (Nigeria), Shooting Stars (Nigeria), Abiola Babes (Nigeria), Africa Sports (Nigeria), Vitoria FC (Portugal), Olympiacos (Greece), Sporting Gijón (Spain), Vitoria Setubal (Portugal), FC Zürich (Switzerland), Bizerte (???), Al-Shabab (???), Africa Sports (Nigeria), Julius Berger FC (Nigeria).
However, fans and football lovers all over the world have taken to twitter with their condolences
Kayode Tijani @kayodetijani200
In My Chronic Sorrow at My Friend Rasheed Yekini’s Death He was NEVER Mad as rumoured.Lived a Contented and Religious Life.
Toyin Ibitoye @ToyinIbitoye
#Nigeriafootball:I wish this isn’t true after all but a family source just told me that Rashidi Yekini is DEAD and will be BURIED tomorrow!
Obi Asika @obiasika
I want to thank Rashidi Yekini, an iconic nigerian legend who passed this evening for the joy he gave millions. May his soul rest in peace!
FSM @faruksm
If anyone deserves a state funeral, Rashidi Yekini is that person. But will they give him one? That’s the question
Safy van Emengo @SAFYNAT
May his soul RIP RT @omojuwa: Rashidi Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for #Nigeria …Nigeria’s greatest striker is dead
26 comments
Rasheed Yekini made nigerians proud during his days in d national team (with his thunderous shots). He deserves a beffiting burial 4rm d Fed.Govt.
Wat a great loss,indeed,Rashidi yekini is a real super star,we ar gonna miss him….continue to R.I.P in d bossom of d MOST HIGH
Inalilah wa ina ilayhi rajiun.may almighty Allah (s.w.t) rest ur soul and 4giv u ur sins. Amin.
May Allah forgive him his sins and grant him paradise, amen.
ALIMGTHY ALLAH GRANT HIM ALIJANAT FREDAUS AMIN BCS I LOVE RASHEED YEKINI WHEN HIS LIVE AS NIGERIA FOOTBALLER ALIMIGTHY CONSOLE ALL ENTIRE RASHEED YEKINI FAMILY AMIN
May his soul rest in perfect peace and he deserves a great burial 4rm federal govt.
Will the Kwara State name the Ilorin after YEKING?
Rashidi yakini’s legacy will continue to exist! He was an ambassodor to nigeria and very good one. He made us proud as nigerians living abroad, may Allah grant him janatul Firdaus! Ameen
may his soul rest in perfect peace,almighty allah will be with his family,suunre ooooo
I miss u great legend of Nigeria. Rest in peace.
I can just believe.we love u but God love you most.Rest in peace yekini
May allah almighty grant him aljanat fridous (amin)
God bles u soul yekini.fimal and wel wish pls be peitcen
it was a great shock to me when i heard dat Rasheed Yekini was died.He has been hospitalised since 4 yrs ago and then federal government does not hav any thing to do abt it til when he died,is not speak wel
It was very painful when i heard about the death of a great and rare icon Rashidi Yekini. Great icon has gone in Nigeria again, only God knows the cause of what killed him cos i read through the SUN NEWSPAPER and i saw alot of comment by people on what caused his death but believe me my great people of our great nation, God knows and sees beyond human comprehension. So lets just pray for his precious soul to find favour in Gods sight rather than saying this and that. Adieu to a rare gem , gone to be seen no more. What a sudden demise
An hero has gone. The soccer family is missing u!
we all miss u rest in perfect peace
Continue to rest in perfect peace, we realy miss u.
May his soul rest in perfect peace we all means u the great icon of our nation
Rashidi Yekini. Rest In Perfect Peace,
The unique & great heroes of soccer stricker of our land Nigeria has gone too soon.may his soul rest in perfect peace.i want to appeal to our federal Government & his colleagues to give him a befitting burial ceremony.Thanks & God bless.
KAALU INA LILAHI WO INA ILEIHIM RAJIUN. Meaning: from GOD WE COME TO THIS WORLD, AND TO HIM IS OUR RETURN. When a child is born we celebrate but when somebody died we cry, but it not sopost to be so, RASHIDI YEKINI leaved a lives worth celebrating. No.1. he was born in muslim and died in muslim despite all worldly temptation he had met during his life time, the GOD ALMIGHT ALLAH SO BLESS HIM and called him back on friday. A special day for special peoples of GOD. A gate of heaven to paradise is open every friday for anybody who die on friday. The holy book of islam said no sin shall be count on anybody who test death on that day. If u love him pray for him and increase your chances of extra ordnary favour from GOD. Rashidi we love you but GOD LOVES YOU MOST. GOODBYE!
The goodness of man, comes but only after his dead,may his sold rest in perfect peace .amen
As for me yekini is the greatest player nigeria has ever produced. Rest in peace legend.