Fellow football players mourn the loss of football star Rashidi Yekini

May 8, 2012

Football officials, players and fans across Africa are mourning the loss of legendary football player Rashidi Yekini. The Nigerian football star, 48, passed away late last week after enduring a "brief illness," according to Nigerian Tribune. Yekini scored the first-ever goal for Nigeria at a World Cup game against Bulgaria in 1994. He also played in the Olympic Games, and was named the 1993 African Footballer of the Year.

"Rashidi Yekini's fantastic display of skills and talent were evident to the World during Nigeria's campaigns at the U.S.A. '94 and France '98 World Cup Finals. We will deeply miss him," Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football, told the Osun Defender.

Many Nigerian football players also expressed their grief at the loss of a hero and friend. Patrick Mboma, the 2000 African Footballer of the Year, told Goal.com he cried upon hearing the news of Yekini's passing. The Nigerian Tribune reports Yekini's illness was kept off the radar, so only those close to him even knew anything about his failing health.

Those who want to talk to their friends about the death of the footballer can make calls to Nigeria with international phone cards.

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