……. commiserates with the family of late Aluko
Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter on Thursday remembered Nigeria’s late ex-international, Rashidi Yekini, eleven years after his death.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Ayodeji Ismail and Dare Kuti; Yekini still remains the best striker to have worn the jersey of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The statement said that Yekini’s name entered history books after scoring the Super Eagles’ first ever FIFA World Cup goal at the 1994 finals held in the U.S. in the 3-0 group stage win over Bulgaria.
Kwara SWAN revealed that Late Rashidi Yekini is a role model for every young player plying their trade in the Nigeria Premier Football League adding that he was spotted on home before going to Europe.
“Yekini, who played for several clubs in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Switzerland, could hardly believe he had scored and spontaneously grabbed the net, shaking it and crying in celebration.
Yekini, who represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups, was the first Nigerian to be voted African Footballer of the Year in 1993.
He helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, where he also topped the goal charts and was named best player of the competition.
Yekini is a native of Ira, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara state and remains Nigeria’s highest goal scorer (37 goals) till date.
Rashidi Yekini died of illness on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48.
Meanwhile, the body has also commiserated with the sports community in the state over the loss of Alhaji Mohammed Aluko.
Kwara SWAN described his death as a great loss not only to Kwara Ladies and Badminton Association but the entire sports fraternity.
The association said the late Aluko will be remembered for his philanthropic acts to upcoming sportsmen and women in the state.
Alhaji Mohammed Aluko died on May 3rd, 2023, after a brief illness and has been buried according to the Islamic Injunctions at his family House, Alabi Owo Compound off Oja Iya area, Ilorin, while his Fidau according to the family source holds on Sunday 7th May, 2023 by 9:am
