October 23, (THEWILL) – On Monday, Google used their Doodle to commemorate the 60th birthday of legendary Nigerian footballer, Rashidi Yekini, widely revered as one of the country’s greatest ever goalscorer.
Nicknamed the “Goalsfather”, Yekini overcame a challenging upbringing to become a footballing superstar both domestically and internationally. Born in 1963 in Kaduna, Nigeria, Yekini worked as a welder and mechanic before being spotted by scouts in 1981, aged 18.
This paved the way for a remarkable career, starting with local club, UNTL FC, before joining Nigerian giants, Shooting Stars, where he netted 45 goals in 53 appearances. Yekini’s exploits soon took him beyond Africa, playing in Portugal, Spain and Switzerland for Victoria Setubal, Olympicos, Sporting Gijon, and Zurich, throughout the late 80s and early 90s.
However, it was on the international stage where he truly cemented his legacy. At the 1994 World Cup, Yekini scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at the tournament – clenching the net in celebration during a 3-0 win over Bulgaria.
With 37 goals, Yekini remains Nigeria’s all-time leading scorer. He was also named African Footballer of the Year in 1993. Tragically, he passed away in 2012, at just 48 years old. Today’s Google Doodle offers a colourful tribute to a true Nigerian football icon.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
