Seven years after, FIFA, NFF still remember Nigerian goal king, Rashidi Yekini

Seven years after the unfortunate death of legendary striker, Rashidi Yekini, through circumstances that left many of his fans frustrated and sad, the globe’s football governing body joined the Nigerian equivalent to remember him on Saturday.

The tributes, coming from no less a body than FIFA and the Nigeria Football Federation, were well received by Yekini’s fans judging by reactions on social media.

Seven years after his death, the memory of Yekini, who remains Nigeria’s all-time top scorer with 37 goals in 58 games, remains dear to Nigerians from different sections of the country.

The Kaduna-born goal would have turned 55 years old yesterday but died in Ibadan on May 4, 2012. He scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at a FIFA World Cup tournament against Bulgaria at USA ’94.

Yekini’s efforts for Nigeria and colorful celebrations are still remembered in the football world going into a decade after his sad and unexpected demise.

“#OnThisDay seven years ago, we lost ??@NGSuperEagles legend Rashidi Yekini,” the world’s football governing body wrote through the handle, @FIFAWorldCup.

“The first player to score a World Cup goal for the Super Eagles, his passionate celebration will always have its place in the history of the tournament,” it added in a tweet that had generated over 7,000 impressions as at press time.

In its own message, @thenff wrote: “The legend of Rashidi Yekini lives on. On this day in 2012, Nigeria’s all-time top scorer passed on to glory. Keep resting in power, Goals-Father. #WeRememberYekini,” adding: “Yekini’s 37 goals makes him Nigeria’s record international goal poacher. #WeRememberYekini.”

Those tweets drove engagement online, with many young Nigerians, especially those old enough to have seen him in action, paying tribute to a class act in goal scoring terms.