The world football governing body (FIFA), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and football greats on Monday paid tributes to Rashidi Yekini, eight years after his death.
Yekini, who died on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48, represented Nigeria in five major tournaments. He also earned 58 appearances for the national team, scoring 37 goals — making him the country’s all time highest goal scorer.
He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
Sunday Dare, minister of youth and sports development, led in the tributes for the player who scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal at USA 1994.
“He was a delight to watch during his playing days. He scored some of the most fantastic goals that left some goal keepers helpless,” Dare said in a statement.
“Rashidi Yekini will forever be remembered as legend of football in Africa not just Nigeria. May his soul continue to Rest In Peace.”
Quite a number of football greats including the likes of Mutiu Adepoju, Sunday Oliseh, Kennedy Boboye, Anthony Baffoe have taken to their different Twitter pages to honour the late footballer.