By Victor Kanayo
Google Doodle on Monday celebrated legendary Nigerian footballer, Rashidi Yekini, on what would have been his 60th birthday.
Using its doodle icon, Google opened with a bio about the late Nigerian striker which reads, “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.
“The beginning of Yekini’s life was difficult as he faced homelessness and poverty. To make money, his first jobs were as a welder and mechanic, but his true goal was to pursue football. He soon began playing in front of scouts and in 1981, he joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna,”
Historic Perspectives
Rashidi Yekini faced significant challenges in his early life, including periods of homelessness and taking up jobs as a welder and mechanic to make ends meet.
Despite these hardships, his unwavering passion for football was evident. In 1981, Yekini joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna, marking the beginning of a remarkable career.
Yekini’s journey took him to the Shooting Stars in Ibadan, where he left an indelible mark by scoring an impressive 45 goals in just 53 games.
His exceptional goal-scoring abilities earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year in 1983, making him the first Nigerian player to achieve this honour. In the following year, he played a pivotal role in leading the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.
Beyond Nigeria, Yekini showcased his talents on the international stage, playing for clubs in Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Tunisia, Switzerland, and Greece. During his time with the Portuguese team Vitória Setúbal, he received the prestigious Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) for being the top scorer in the 1993-94 season.
Yekini’s contributions extended to Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, as he played a crucial role in their qualification for Nigeria’s first World Cup in 1994.
On June 21 at the mundial, in a historic match against Bulgaria, Yekini scored Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal. His iconic celebration, clutching the net with tears of joy, remains a cherished moment in football history and served as the inspiration for today’s Google Doodle, which is being used to celebrate the popular footballer.
