The history of Nigerian football would remain incomplete without a mention of the legendary Rashidi Yekini. The goal scoring prowess of the indigene of Ira, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State no doubt fetched Nigeria her first senior FIFA World Cup ticket to USA 1994. Weekly Trust reporters comb his Ira home town and the Glass House in Abuja to bring you the untold story of his life after retirement and death.
Playing career
Rashidi Yekini helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts.
Born in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Rashidi Yekini started his professional career in the Nigerian league, where he played for UNTL of Kaduna, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Abiola Babes of Abeokuta and Julius Berger of Lagos before moving to Côte d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports and then Portuguese side, Vitoria de Setubal where he became the Portuguese first division’s top scorer in 1993–94, with 34 goals in 32 matches and was named African Footballer of the Year in 1993, Nigeria’s first.
In 1994, he left for Greek side Olympiacos FC, and after a brief stay, left for Sporting de Gijón of Spain. He then played for FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before returning to Africa to play for Julius Berger FC at 39 and Gateway FC of Abeokuta after retiring from international football.
The ‘gangling’ Rashidi Yekini died unannounced on May 4 and was buried the following day in his home town of Ira in Oyun Local government Area of Kwara State, leaving behind three wives, three children, an aged mother and a grand-mother.
Strange sickness, strange behaviour and death
The late football icon, who suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and some other neuro-related ailments without adequate medical attention, died in a private hospital at the age of 48 in Ibadan and laid to rest in his home town Ira of Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State around 4.00 pm last week Saturday.
Before his death, Yekini was said to have developed strange attitude to his family members, associates friends and neighbors.
He was also said to have spent all that was left in his bank accounts, gave out as alms to orphanage home, widows and other unknown persons, as well as burnt his certificates and awards plaques and souvenirs.
“At a point he gathered all his awards, certificates, and clothes and burnt everything. Even the time we went to pick him to go to hospital, there was only one cloth in his house” his sister said.
Family members recount last days
After retirement from active football, Yekini was based in Ibadan, and only visits the family house occasionally.
Our reporter gathered that the late goal king visited the town five years ago, unlike when he used to make about two or three visits in a year into the town.
His lying in state was in a sitting room in his family house where he was covered head to toe in white and pink clothes on a wooden bed, while two of the deceased’s pictures taken during his hey days in the Green Eagles were placed on a table beside the condolence register.
One of his sisters, Mrs. Rafiat described Yekini as a very caring and compassionate person, who was not only kind and good to his siblings and mother but also to many people who came in contact with him.
“Yekini took good care of our mother when he was well. He was a good son to our mother and a good brother to us, his siblings,” Rafiat said.
She stated that family members got to know about Yekini’s strange behavior when some of his neighbours at Ibadan complained that Yekini’s behavior was no longer normal and that he was being hostile to them.
Rafiat stated that she went in company of her husband and some of the family members to confirm the story and find a way to assist the football star; but their efforts to take Yekini to a hospital in Oyo State failed as he resisted their entreaties.
She added that they then sought the assistance of the then Oyo State Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta, who sent for Yekini to be brought to him.
“When Yekini was brought before the CP, the football star said he was alright and was even said to have given out gifts to those present. The CP was said to have been surprised and did not know what to do since Yekini appeared to be alright.
“After that, we got information that Yekini went to the bank and withdraw large sums of money, gave out some to people and spread the rest onto the air. We also heard that sometimes he would go to the Liberty Stadium and be clearing grasses”, Rafiat said.
She added that in an attempt to get legal backing to treat him, they also went to obtain a court warrant, but again, the former football star said he was alright and so the court could not help either.
Also commenting, Yekini’s mother, Madam Sikirat said she and the family members tried to salvage the situation and assist treat Yekini but all to no avail.
“He was sick for about five years, it is mental sickness. His behavior had been irregular because of that we tried to help him by finding a solution, but unfortunately he is no more. It is very sad.
My son was a very compassionate person who tried his best to keep me comfortable. He also was of great assistance to his siblings before the surprised illness,” Sikirat said.
Relationship with football authorities
Besides the awards won during his playing days in Nigeria, Portugal, Cote d ‘Ivoire and host of other countries where he plied his football trade, Yekini rejected all awards proposed to him by various organizations.
Before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Yekini rejected an ambassadorial appointment offered him by the nation’s football governing body; he also turned down a committee membership appointment offered him by the same body.
NFF Executive Committee member, Emeka Inyama also said during the week that it was difficult reaching Yekini for help, as all efforts made by the Federation to assist him (Yekini) hit the brick wall.
“Yekini rebuffed all efforts and delegations sent by the NFF to assist him; he even rejected an ambassadorial appointment given to him. So, the NFF cannot be blamed for not getting involved in his predicament”, Inyama stated.
Even when former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki wanted to give him an award, he said he was not interested; only for his younger brother to later go on Yekini’s behalf to collect the award
The history of Nigerian football would remain incomplete without a mention of the legendary Rashidi Yekini. The goal scoring prowess of the indigene of Ira, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State no doubt fetched Nigeria her first senior FIFA World Cup ticket to USA 1994. Weekly Trust reporters comb his Ira home town and the Glass House in Abuja to bring you the untold story of his life after retirement and death.
Playing career
Rashidi Yekini helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, where he also topped the goal charts.
Born in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Rashidi Yekini started his professional career in the Nigerian league, where he played for UNTL of Kaduna, Shooting Stars of Ibadan, Abiola Babes of Abeokuta and Julius Berger of Lagos before moving to Côte d’Ivoire to play for Africa Sports and then Portuguese side, Vitoria de Setubal where he became the Portuguese first division’s top scorer in 1993–94, with 34 goals in 32 matches and was named African Footballer of the Year in 1993, Nigeria’s first.
In 1994, he left for Greek side Olympiacos FC, and after a brief stay, left for Sporting de Gijón of Spain. He then played for FC Zürich, Club Athlétique Bizertin and Al-Shabab Riyadh, before returning to Africa to play for Julius Berger FC at 39 and Gateway FC of Abeokuta after retiring from international football.
The ‘gangling’ Rashidi Yekini died unannounced on May 4 and was buried the following day in his home town of Ira in Oyun Local government Area of Kwara State, leaving behind three wives, three children, an aged mother and a grand-mother.
Strange sickness, strange behaviour and death
The late football icon, who suffered from bipolar disorder, depression and some other neuro-related ailments without adequate medical attention, died in a private hospital at the age of 48 in Ibadan and laid to rest in his home town Ira of Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State around 4.00 pm last week Saturday.
Before his death, Yekini was said to have developed strange attitude to his family members, associates friends and neighbors.
He was also said to have spent all that was left in his bank accounts, gave out as alms to orphanage home, widows and other unknown persons, as well as burnt his certificates and awards plaques and souvenirs.
“At a point he gathered all his awards, certificates, and clothes and burnt everything. Even the time we went to pick him to go to hospital, there was only one cloth in his house” his sister said.
Family members recount last days
After retirement from active football, Yekini was based in Ibadan, and only visits the family house occasionally.
Our reporter gathered that the late goal king visited the town five years ago, unlike when he used to make about two or three visits in a year into the town.
His lying in state was in a sitting room in his family house where he was covered head to toe in white and pink clothes on a wooden bed, while two of the deceased’s pictures taken during his hey days in the Green Eagles were placed on a table beside the condolence register.
One of his sisters, Mrs. Rafiat described Yekini as a very caring and compassionate person, who was not only kind and good to his siblings and mother but also to many people who came in contact with him.
“Yekini took good care of our mother when he was well. He was a good son to our mother and a good brother to us, his siblings,” Rafiat said.
She stated that family members got to know about Yekini’s strange behavior when some of his neighbours at Ibadan complained that Yekini’s behavior was no longer normal and that he was being hostile to them.
Rafiat stated that she went in company of her husband and some of the family members to confirm the story and find a way to assist the football star; but their efforts to take Yekini to a hospital in Oyo State failed as he resisted their entreaties.
She added that they then sought the assistance of the then Oyo State Police Commissioner Adisa Bolanta, who sent for Yekini to be brought to him.
“When Yekini was brought before the CP, the football star said he was alright and was even said to have given out gifts to those present. The CP was said to have been surprised and did not know what to do since Yekini appeared to be alright.
“After that, we got information that Yekini went to the bank and withdraw large sums of money, gave out some to people and spread the rest onto the air. We also heard that sometimes he would go to the Liberty Stadium and be clearing grasses”, Rafiat said.
She added that in an attempt to get legal backing to treat him, they also went to obtain a court warrant, but again, the former football star said he was alright and so the court could not help either.
Also commenting, Yekini’s mother, Madam Sikirat said she and the family members tried to salvage the situation and assist treat Yekini but all to no avail.
“He was sick for about five years, it is mental sickness. His behavior had been irregular because of that we tried to help him by finding a solution, but unfortunately he is no more. It is very sad.
My son was a very compassionate person who tried his best to keep me comfortable. He also was of great assistance to his siblings before the surprised illness,” Sikirat said.
Relationship with football authorities
Besides the awards won during his playing days in Nigeria, Portugal, Cote d ‘Ivoire and host of other countries where he plied his football trade, Yekini rejected all awards proposed to him by various organizations.
Before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Yekini rejected an ambassadorial appointment offered him by the nation’s football governing body; he also turned down a committee membership appointment offered him by the same body.
NFF Executive Committee member, Emeka Inyama also said during the week that it was difficult reaching Yekini for help, as all efforts made by the Federation to assist him (Yekini) hit the brick wall.
“Yekini rebuffed all efforts and delegations sent by the NFF to assist him; he even rejected an ambassadorial appointment given to him. So, the NFF cannot be blamed for not getting involved in his predicament”, Inyama stated.
Even when former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki wanted to give him an award, he said he was not interested; only for his younger brother to later go on Yekini’s behalf to collect the award
