Rashidi ‘Goalsfather’ Yekini (1963-2012)
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- Category: Shot
- Written by AMINU MAIGARI
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I woke up with a slight headache, and just didn’t feel right. I am in London, and it is Friday, 4th May. I arrived from Abuja on Thursday evening, for the launching of John Utaka Foundation.
Later in the night, I received a phone call from the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, that Rashidi Yekini, the Gangling One, the Goalsfather, the Enigma, had passed on. He could not give me details of how he died.At the Nigeria Football Federation, we are still in shock. This is not a platform for me to respond to some persons who were trying to play to the gallery, by saying that the NFF abandoned the player. You ask them: What is abandonment?
I was a member of the NFF Executive Committee when the Federation decided to include Rashidi Yekini in the delegation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. There was, what you could call, a manhunt. Those who knew where he was tried very hard to convince him to come out and be part of it. He refused. He didn’t want to mix with anyone. “Please let me,” he told them.
In 2011, we had reason to go on another ‘manhunt’ for Yekini. It was fruitless, as he again made it clear he did not want anything that would bring him into the limelight once more. He was enjoying a private life and he wanted nothing more.
It is difficult to force a man against his will. But the essence of today’s piece is to pay homage to one who remains the best striker to have come out of our dear country.
From the beginning in Kaduna State, with UNTL, to Ibadan with Shooting Stars, to Lagos with Julius Berger, to Abeokuta with Abiola Babes, to Europe and Asia and finally back to Abeokuta, this time with Gateway FC, Yekini did his bit, wonderfully, elegantly, without shame, without pulling punches and without attitude. He was the ultimate marksman.
There is no reason going into how many goals he scored where and when, but we must all remember that here passed one who netted 37 goals in 58 appearances – a marvelous tally – and that his 13 goals in the African Cup of Nations should rank him among the Top Four all-time scorers of the competition.
It is sad that Yekini had to go now. At 48, he was still a youngman. We must credit Yekini for coming back to the Nigeria Premier League, back in 2005, to play for Gateway Football Club of Abeokuta, after all his exploits abroad. Many of his colleagues shunned such suggestion and even the stars would sneer at such talk.
There have been several tales of what went on and how he died, but we leave all these in the hands of those capable of investigating, and ultimately, in the hands of Almighty Allah.
On Wednesday, myself and a number of NFF Executive Committee members and the General Secretary discussed at length on how to immortalize the man Rashidi Yekini. Surely, details will soon start to come out about how we intend to proceed.
Today, I am in Ira, Kwara State for the Eighth Day prayer for the fallen legend. I am here with a number of NFF Executive Committee members and other members of the NFF Congress. We love him dearly, but Allah loves him more. Rest in peace, Yekini.
FIFA WIAWA Coaching Course...
The first-ever Win-In-Africa-With-Africa (WIAWA) Coaching Course in Nigeria, sponsored by FIFA and organized by the NFF, will come to an end today in the Federal Capital, Abuja.
As I said in my speech at the opening ceremony, read by the Chairman of Technical Committee, Barrister Green, the actualization of this course, and several other courses that have taken place recently and will soon take place, underscores the doggedness of the present administration in fully developing our Coaches to attain the highest level of competence and capacity in the game. Part of the speech read:
“A cursory look at the history of coaching in Nigeria will reveal that our dear country has produced men of true calibre and timber. From the irrepresible Dan Anyiam of blessed memory, to the calm but elegant ‘Eto’ Amaechina of blessed memory, to the quiet achiever Adegboye Onigbinde, to the ubiquitous and never-say-die James Peters, to the no-nonsense Chris Udemezue of blessed memory, to the unassuming but accomplished Paul Hamilton, to the humble but gifted Olatunde Disu, to the energetic ‘Dr’ Kashimawo Laloko, to the diligent ‘Prof’ Monday Sinclair, to able and energetic Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen, to the unobtrusive but capable Ismaila Mabo, to the quiet but practical Christian Chukwu and to the persevering Amodu Shaibu, the dogged Kadiri Ikhana, the pragmatic Austin Eguavoen, the flamboyant Samson Siasia, and to ‘Big Boss’ Stephen Keshi, the list is endless.
“Not only have our Coaches held their own firmly at home, some of them, including Chief Onigbinde, Chief Laloko, ‘Chairman’ Chukwu, Kadiri Ikhana and Amodu Shaibu have gone abroad to prove their mettle and underscore their capabilities.
“Be that as it may, it is important to state here that the actualization of this programme is derived from the determination of the present NFF administration to positively affect all areas of the
Nigeria game, and to enact new standards that would, sooner than later, take Nigeria football to higher heights in the game’s firmament.
“Indeed, the present NFF administration has done more for Nigerian Coaches than any before it. In December 2010, we signed on former international striker Samson Siasia, who had shown potential handling youth teams, for the sum of Five Million Naira per month – which was one hundred and fifty percent higher than what the indigenous Coach before him, Amodu Shaibu, got. Siasia also got a chauffeur-driven carbefitting his status and his assistants were also very well-paid.
“At a time that many were thinking that we would not be able to sustain the big pay, as a result of financial constraints, we kept our side of the bargain, and have been able to sustain the standard with the new Head Coach, Mr. Stephen Keshi, and across the width of our various National Teams.
“Beyond this, we have gone to great lengths to ensure the standardization of the contract agreements that ourselves as an establishment sign with our Coaches. There are no longer ‘slave contracts’ or mere ‘gentlemen agreements’. We also set for our Coaches targets and milestones that are achievable and measurable, and with human face.
“More than all these, we have continued to pursue programmes and projects that will lead to rapid improvement of our indigenous Coaches. In September 2011, the NFF organized a first-ever CAF ‘C’ License Coaching Course that was attended by over 80 coaches, and in March this year, followed up with the CAF ‘B’ course. We are presently putting finishing touches to the plan to organize the CAF ‘A’ course.”
Our Clubs Still On The March...
Today, Sunshine Stars FC take on Djoliba FC of Mali in Ijebu-Ode in the second leg of their CAF Champions League third round fixture, with the Nigerians looking good for a place in the lucrative League phase after a 1-1 draw in Bamako a fortnight ago.
We are grateful to Almighty Allah for bringing back to Nigeria safely players, officials and journalists who were trapped in Mali for several days. I praise Mr. Segun Adagunodo, chairman of the Club, for the assurance and encouragement he gave to all those who were with in those uncertain days.
It is the belief of the NFF that Sunshine willl do the needful by qualifying for the League phase and go ahead to lift the trophy. The NFF also has faith in the ability of Heartland FC (away to Congo for clash against AC Leopards following 3-2 first leg win in Owerri) and Warri Wolves (away to South Africa for clash with Black Leopards following 3-1 first leg win in Warri) to excel in the CAF Confederation Cup. Good luck to all the teams.
NEXT WEEK: Calabar on The Rebound
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Rashidi ‘Goalsfather’ Yekini (1963-2012)
Category: Shot Written by AMINU MAIGARI Hits: 647
I woke up with a slight headache, and just didn’t feel right. I am in London, and it is Friday, 4th May. I arrived from Abuja on Thursday evening, for the launching of John Utaka Foundation.
Later in the night, I received a phone call from the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, that Rashidi Yekini, the Gangling One, the Goalsfather, the Enigma, had passed on. He could not give me details of how he died.At the Nigeria Football Federation, we are still in shock. This is not a platform for me to respond to some persons who were trying to play to the gallery, by saying that the NFF abandoned the player. You ask them: What is abandonment?
I was a member of the NFF Executive Committee when the Federation decided to include Rashidi Yekini in the delegation to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. There was, what you could call, a manhunt. Those who knew where he was tried very hard to convince him to come out and be part of it. He refused. He didn’t want to mix with anyone. “Please let me,” he told them.
In 2011, we had reason to go on another ‘manhunt’ for Yekini. It was fruitless, as he again made it clear he did not want anything that would bring him into the limelight once more. He was enjoying a private life and he wanted nothing more.
It is difficult to force a man against his will. But the essence of today’s piece is to pay homage to one who remains the best striker to have come out of our dear country.
From the beginning in Kaduna State, with UNTL, to Ibadan with Shooting Stars, to Lagos with Julius Berger, to Abeokuta with Abiola Babes, to Europe and Asia and finally back to Abeokuta, this time with Gateway FC, Yekini did his bit, wonderfully, elegantly, without shame, without pulling punches and without attitude. He was the ultimate marksman.
There is no reason going into how many goals he scored where and when, but we must all remember that here passed one who netted 37 goals in 58 appearances – a marvelous tally – and that his 13 goals in the African Cup of Nations should rank him among the Top Four all-time scorers of the competition.
It is sad that Yekini had to go now. At 48, he was still a youngman. We must credit Yekini for coming back to the Nigeria Premier League, back in 2005, to play for Gateway Football Club of Abeokuta, after all his exploits abroad. Many of his colleagues shunned such suggestion and even the stars would sneer at such talk.
There have been several tales of what went on and how he died, but we leave all these in the hands of those capable of investigating, and ultimately, in the hands of Almighty Allah.
On Wednesday, myself and a number of NFF Executive Committee members and the General Secretary discussed at length on how to immortalize the man Rashidi Yekini. Surely, details will soon start to come out about how we intend to proceed.
Today, I am in Ira, Kwara State for the Eighth Day prayer for the fallen legend. I am here with a number of NFF Executive Committee members and other members of the NFF Congress. We love him dearly, but Allah loves him more. Rest in peace, Yekini.
FIFA WIAWA Coaching Course...
The first-ever Win-In-Africa-With-Africa (WIAWA) Coaching Course in Nigeria, sponsored by FIFA and organized by the NFF, will come to an end today in the Federal Capital, Abuja.
As I said in my speech at the opening ceremony, read by the Chairman of Technical Committee, Barrister Green, the actualization of this course, and several other courses that have taken place recently and will soon take place, underscores the doggedness of the present administration in fully developing our Coaches to attain the highest level of competence and capacity in the game. Part of the speech read:
“A cursory look at the history of coaching in Nigeria will reveal that our dear country has produced men of true calibre and timber. From the irrepresible Dan Anyiam of blessed memory, to the calm but elegant ‘Eto’ Amaechina of blessed memory, to the quiet achiever Adegboye Onigbinde, to the ubiquitous and never-say-die James Peters, to the no-nonsense Chris Udemezue of blessed memory, to the unassuming but accomplished Paul Hamilton, to the humble but gifted Olatunde Disu, to the energetic ‘Dr’ Kashimawo Laloko, to the diligent ‘Prof’ Monday Sinclair, to able and energetic Sebastian Brodricks-Imasuen, to the unobtrusive but capable Ismaila Mabo, to the quiet but practical Christian Chukwu and to the persevering Amodu Shaibu, the dogged Kadiri Ikhana, the pragmatic Austin Eguavoen, the flamboyant Samson Siasia, and to ‘Big Boss’ Stephen Keshi, the list is endless.
“Not only have our Coaches held their own firmly at home, some of them, including Chief Onigbinde, Chief Laloko, ‘Chairman’ Chukwu, Kadiri Ikhana and Amodu Shaibu have gone abroad to prove their mettle and underscore their capabilities.
“Be that as it may, it is important to state here that the actualization of this programme is derived from the determination of the present NFF administration to positively affect all areas of the
Nigeria game, and to enact new standards that would, sooner than later, take Nigeria football to higher heights in the game’s firmament.
“Indeed, the present NFF administration has done more for Nigerian Coaches than any before it. In December 2010, we signed on former international striker Samson Siasia, who had shown potential handling youth teams, for the sum of Five Million Naira per month – which was one hundred and fifty percent higher than what the indigenous Coach before him, Amodu Shaibu, got. Siasia also got a chauffeur-driven carbefitting his status and his assistants were also very well-paid.
“At a time that many were thinking that we would not be able to sustain the big pay, as a result of financial constraints, we kept our side of the bargain, and have been able to sustain the standard with the new Head Coach, Mr. Stephen Keshi, and across the width of our various National Teams.
“Beyond this, we have gone to great lengths to ensure the standardization of the contract agreements that ourselves as an establishment sign with our Coaches. There are no longer ‘slave contracts’ or mere ‘gentlemen agreements’. We also set for our Coaches targets and milestones that are achievable and measurable, and with human face.
“More than all these, we have continued to pursue programmes and projects that will lead to rapid improvement of our indigenous Coaches. In September 2011, the NFF organized a first-ever CAF ‘C’ License Coaching Course that was attended by over 80 coaches, and in March this year, followed up with the CAF ‘B’ course. We are presently putting finishing touches to the plan to organize the CAF ‘A’ course.”
Our Clubs Still On The March...
Today, Sunshine Stars FC take on Djoliba FC of Mali in Ijebu-Ode in the second leg of their CAF Champions League third round fixture, with the Nigerians looking good for a place in the lucrative League phase after a 1-1 draw in Bamako a fortnight ago.
We are grateful to Almighty Allah for bringing back to Nigeria safely players, officials and journalists who were trapped in Mali for several days. I praise Mr. Segun Adagunodo, chairman of the Club, for the assurance and encouragement he gave to all those who were with in those uncertain days.
It is the belief of the NFF that Sunshine willl do the needful by qualifying for the League phase and go ahead to lift the trophy. The NFF also has faith in the ability of Heartland FC (away to Congo for clash against AC Leopards following 3-2 first leg win in Owerri) and Warri Wolves (away to South Africa for clash with Black Leopards following 3-1 first leg win in Warri) to excel in the CAF Confederation Cup. Good luck to all the teams.
NEXT WEEK: Calabar on The Rebound