Rashidi Yekini – Nigeria’s Greatest Goal Scorer
Full Name: Rashidi Yekini
Date of Birth: October 23, 1963
Place of Birth: Kaduna, Nigeria
Date of Death: May 4, 2012
Position: Striker
National Team: Nigeria (1983–1998)
Career Highlights:
Nigeria National Team:
- Nigeria’s All-Time Leading Goal Scorer – 37 goals in 62 matches
- 1994 FIFA World Cup:
- Scored Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria
- Iconic celebration: Grabbing the net and crying in joy
- 1994 AFCON Winner – Led Nigeria to victory, finished as top scorer (5 goals)
- 1993 African Footballer of the Year – First Nigerian to win the award
- 1998 FIFA World Cup – Played his last tournament for Nigeria
Club Career Achievements:
- Played for clubs in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia, Greece, and Saudi Arabia
- Vitória Setúbal (Portugal) –
- Primeira Liga Top Scorer (1993–94) with 34 goals
- Helped the team gain promotion to the top division
- Scored over 200 club goals in his career
Legacy & Impact:
- One of Africa’s greatest strikers
- Inspired future Nigerian forwards like Victor Osimhen & Nwankwo Kanu
- Remembered for his humility, passion, and dedication to Nigerian football
- Honored posthumously for his contributions to the sport
