On May 4, 2012, Nigeria lost a former super striker and the country’s all time highest goal scorer with 37 goals in 58 appearances.
Rashidi Yekini passed on at the age of 48 after a prolonged illness, and his iconic performance for the Super Eagles is one the world will never forget.
FIFA paid tribute to the Nigerian hero on their twitter handle with a video of Yekini’s famous world cup celebration, after he scored Nigeria’s first goal at the FIFA World Cup.
“#OnThisDay seven years ago, we lost @NGSuperEagles legend Rashidi Yekini.
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.” — FIFA
The Nigeria Football Federation also celebrated Yekini on their twitter handle, reminding Nigerians of the man who proved the country’s strengths to the world in Nigeria’s debut World Cup appearance.
“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.” — NFF
In 1993, Yekini was named the the African Footballer of the Year, the first Nigerian to win the award in its history.
The football maestro was also very instrumental in helping Nigeria win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, where he scored the most goals of the tournament and was named the best player of the competition.
Featured image source: Nigeria News
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