Google, Nigerians celebrate ‘King of Goals’ 60th posthumous birthday
Google Doodle celebrates the 60th birthday of the iconic Nigerian football player and all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini. His journey to stardom was one filled with challenges and poverty, as a young Yekini worked as a welder and mechanic to make money.
The doodle began with a biography of the Kaduna-born striker: “Today’s Doodle celebrates iconic Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, an accomplished forward nicknamed the “Goalsfather” for his ability to sneak shots by the keeper. On this day in 1963, he was born in Kaduna, Nigeria.”
He started his career in front of scouts, and in 1981, he joined his first club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna, marking the beginning of a remarkable career.
His exploits took him beyond the continent’s shores playing for Victoria Setubal, Olympicos, Sporting Gijon, and Zurich, before returning to the country to play for Julius Berger and Gateway United.
Yekini remains indelible in the hearts of Nigerians, as he scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal at the FIFA World Cup in the 3-0 win over Bulgaria in 1994. Yekini clutched the net in ecstasy.
He scored 37 goals and remains Nigeria’s all-time top scorer. He was also voted African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
Yekini died on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.
Many Nigerians also joined Google to celebrate the King of Goals.
Japheth Omojuwa, hailed Yekini, stating, “King Rashidi Yekini. The gold standard for the No.9 position in Super Eagles history.”
A fan, Omotayo Olokede, posted Yekini’s iconic goal — Nigeria’s first at the World Cup in 1994 — and celebration against Bulgaria to mark the occasion with the caption, “A Goal to Remember. Rashidi Yekini… A Legend.”
Another fan, Rayo Kasali revealed that Yekini was his first football idol, saying, “Happy Birthday to my very first football idol — King Rashidi Yekini. He would have been 60 today! Rest on, legend!”
The 1993 African Footballer of The Year’s professional career, which spanned more than two decades, saw him play in eight countries.
Yekini scored 45 league goals in 53 games for his first club Shooting Stars, 80 goals in 100 games for Abiola Babes, 112 goals in 130 games for Ivorian giants Africa Sports, 94 goals in 148 games for Portuguese side Setubal,
and many more.
