Rashidi Yekini was one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers. He was known for scoring goals and making fans happy. Many people still remember him because of his talent and what he did for Nigerian football.
In this blog post, we will talk about Rashidi Yekini’s life, his football career, his family, his net worth, his houses, and how he died. We will also answer questions like where he was from and who his wife was.
Profile Summary
Full Name: Rashidi Yekini
Date of Birth: October 23, 1963
Place of Birth: Kaduna, Nigeria
State of Origin: Kwara State
Nationality: Nigerian
Profession: Footballer (Striker)
Years Active: 1981 – 2005
Clubs Played For: Several clubs in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Portugal, Spain, and other countries
Major Achievement: Nigeria’s all-time highest goal scorer
Date of Death: May 4, 2012
Cause of Death: Illness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoalsfather/
Rashidi Yekini Early Life and Background
Rashidi Yekini was born on October 23, 1963, in Kaduna, Nigeria. Even though he was born in Kaduna, his family was originally from Kwara State.
Growing up, life was not easy for Rashidi Yekini. His family was poor, and he had to work hard to survive. He did small jobs to make money. But one thing that made him happy was football.
As a child, Rashidi loved playing football. He played with his friends on the streets of Kaduna. He had no expensive football boots or jerseys, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to play and enjoy the game.
His love for football made him stand out, and people began to notice his talent.
Rashidi Yekini Football Career
Rashidi Yekini started his professional football career in Nigeria. He played for local clubs before moving to other countries.
Rashidi played for many clubs in different countries. Here are some of the teams he played for:
Shooting Stars (Nigeria) – This was one of the first big clubs he played for. He performed well and scored many goals.
Abiola Babes (Nigeria) – He continued to shine as a goal scorer.
Africa Sports (Côte d’Ivoire) – He left Nigeria to play in Côte d’Ivoire, where he also did well.
Vitória de Setúbal (Portugal) – This was where Rashidi Yekini became very famous. He scored many goals and won the Best Player award in Portugal.
Olympiacos (Greece) – He moved to Greece but did not stay long.
Sporting Gijón (Spain) – He also played in Spain but later moved to other teams.
FC Zürich (Switzerland) – He played in Switzerland for a short time.
Club Africa de Tunis (Tunisia) – He continued his career in Tunisia.
Julius Berger (Nigeria) – Towards the end of his career, he returned to Nigeria and played for Julius Berger.
Rashidi played for many clubs in different countries. No matter where he went, his main job was to score goals. And he was very good at it.
International Career
Rashidi Yekini played for Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles. He made his debut in 1984 and played for many years.
One of the biggest moments of his career was in the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Rashidi scored Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal in a match against Bulgaria. After scoring, he grabbed the net and cried with joy. That moment became one of the most famous pictures in football history.
He also helped Nigeria win the 1994 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he was the top goal scorer.
By the time he retired from international football, Rashidi Yekini had scored 37 goals for Nigeria, making him the country’s all-time highest goal scorer.
Rashidi Yekini Net Worth
During his playing days, Rashidi Yekini made good money. He played for top clubs, won awards, and was a star. However, his exact net worth is not known.
Some reports say his net worth was between $1 million and $3 million. However, some people believe he lost a lot of money later in life.
Unlike some footballers who invested in businesses, Rashidi Yekini did not have many investments. He focused more on football.
Rashidi Yekini Wife and Family
Rashidi Yekini was a very private person. He did not like talking too much about his personal life.
He was married at some point, but there is little information about his wife. He had a daughter named Omoyemi Yekini. She has spoken about her father many times and shared memories of him.
Some reports also say he had another daughter, but there is not much public information about her.
Rashidi Yekini House
Rashidi Yekini had a house in Ibadan, Nigeria. This was where he lived in his later years.
Some reports say he had other properties, but there is no clear information about them.
Rashidi Yekini Cause of Death
Rashidi Yekini died on May 4, 2012. His death shocked many Nigerians, and there were different stories about what happened.
Some reports said he was sick for a long time. Some said he suffered from mental illness before he died. Others claimed he was taken away by some people who forced him into a car, and after that, his health got worse.
His family said he was suffering from bipolar disorder, a mental illness that affects a person’s mood.
Till today, the exact cause of his death is still debated. Some people believe he was not properly treated, while others think there was something suspicious about how he died.
Rashidi Yekini Legacy
Even though Rashidi Yekini is no longer alive, his name will never be forgotten. He is still Nigeria’s highest goal scorer in history.
Many young footballers in Nigeria see him as a hero. The Nigerian government and football fans have called for more honors to be given to him.
In 2020, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) named a building after him at their headquarters. This was a way to remember him and his contributions to Nigerian football.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rashidi Yekini
- Where was Rashidi Yekini from?
Rashidi Yekini was from Kwara State, Nigeria, although he was born in Kaduna. - What was Rashidi Yekini’s net worth?
His exact net worth is not known, but estimates suggest it was between $1 million and $3 million during his career. - Did Rashidi Yekini have a wife?
Yes, Rashidi Yekini was married, but he kept his personal life private. There is little public information about his wife. - Did Rashidi Yekini have children?
Yes, he had a daughter named Omoyemi Yekini. Some reports suggest he had another daughter as well. - Where did Rashidi Yekini live before he died?
He lived in Ibadan, Nigeria, where he had a house. - What was Rashidi Yekini’s cause of death?
The exact cause of his death is still unclear. Some reports say he suffered from mental illness, while others suggest he was taken away forcefully before his health worsened. - How many goals did Rashidi Yekini score for Nigeria?
Rashidi Yekini scored 37 goals for the Nigerian national team, making him Nigeria’s all-time highest goal scorer.
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Conclusion
Rashidi Yekini was one of Nigeria’s greatest footballers. He came from a poor background, worked hard, and became a star.
He played for many clubs, scored goals for Nigeria, and became a legend. His net worth is not clearly known, and he lived a private life.