Rashidi Yekini: Google Doodle Celebrates Late Nigerian Legend on 60th Birthday

• Rashidi Yekini graced the Google Doodle on Monday, October 23, on what would have been his 60th birthday
• The former Nigerian international, who passed away in 2012, remains the country’s all-time scorer
• Yekini scored Nigeria’s first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup and proceeded with the iconic celebration

On Monday, October 23, Google Doodle celebrated the 60th birthday of the legendary Nigerian footballer Rashidi Yekini, who was famous for his ability to sneak shots past the keeper.

Yekini was born in Kaduna State in Nigeria on October 23, 1963, but passed away on May 4, 2012 at the age of 48.

He would have clocked 60 this year, and Google is celebrating the striker who scored Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal.

Growing up Yekini struggled to survive and was homeless due to poverty, working as a mechanic and welder to make money.

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He was determined to play professional football, and in no time, he was scouted and joined the local club ‘UNTL FC’ in Kaduna.

After this, he played for the Shooting Stars and scored an impressive 45 goals in 53 games, and in one particular instance, he scored 12 goals in 30 matches.

In 1982, he moved to Shooting Stars of Ibadan, before being snapped up by Abiola Babes in 1984, where he scored a staggering 80 goals in 100 matches, Live Mint reports.

In 1987, the striker moved to Ivory Coast to join Africa Sports before moving to Europe, where he joined Portuguese outfit Victoria Setubal.

During the 1993-94 season, he won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) for being the league's top-scoring player while playing for the Portuguese team.

He also had stints in Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia And Saudi Arabia.

Yekini played a pivotal role in Nigeria's qualification for the 1994 World Cup, where he scored the country’s first goal in the tournament.

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He then went on an iconic celebration, clutching the net with both arms while crying tears of joy.

Google Doodle has now honoured the player with an animation of the viral image of that goal.

Yekini still holds the record for most international goals scored by a Nigerian, having netted 37 times in his 58 games for the country.

When FIFA paid tribute to Yekini

Sports Brief earlier reported that the world's football governing body, FIFA, paid touching tribute to former Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini, 11 years after his death in Ibadan.

According to the video FIFA World Cup posted on their Instagram page, they emphasised that Yekini would never be forgotten.

"The first player to score a FIFA World Cup goal for the Super Eagles. We’ll never forget Rashidi Yekini’s passionate celebration."