On October 23, 2023, Google, the world’s most popular search engine, honored Rashidi Yekini, one of Nigeria’s legendary football players, with its doodle. This date would have marked his 60th birthday, and he is celebrated as one of Nigeria’s greatest strikers. Born on October 23, 1963, in Kaduna, Nigeria, Yekini’s remarkable career began with UNTL FC in Kaduna in 1981, before he moved on to the Shooting Stars. During his time with the Shooting Stars, he achieved an impressive record of 45 goals in 53 games.
Yekini’s outstanding goal-scoring prowess earned him the prestigious title of African Footballer of the Year in 1993, making him the first Nigerian player to receive this honor. In the following year, he played a crucial role in leading the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.
Yekini’s contributions extended to the national stage as well, representing the Super Eagles at the African Cup of Nations. He is particularly remembered for scoring Nigeria’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup against Bulgaria during the 1994 tournament hosted in the United States of America. His legacy as a football icon in Nigeria remains enduring.