Exclusive: What Rashidi Yekini Said After Scoring Nigeria's 1st World Cup Goal - Family Lawyer

Exclusive: What Rashidi Yekini Said While Holding The Net After Scoring Nigeria's 1st World Cup Goal - Family Lawyer

By Niyi Busari

Late Rashidi Yekini's lawyer, Barrister Jibril Mohammed Olarenwaju has revealed what the 1993 African Best Player said, 26 years after the iconic celebration of Nigeria first ever goal at the senior world cup in 1994.

Barrister Jibril while revealing this to BSN Sports noted that the former Super Eagles striker was not happy with the rumour that he was chanting incantation inside the Bulgarian net.

He said, after scoring the goal against Bulgaria, Yekini shouted his own name and gave praises to God. He added that he continued doing so until Uche Okechukwu (his team mate and Eagles defender) tapped his shoulder, celebrated with him and left the scene together.

In his words: "He was not happy with what people rumoured that he was making some incantations. He was simply shouting his name and praising God afterwards, until Uche Okechukwu tapped his shoulder." He told BSN Sports.

He added that Rashidi was an introvert but nice and patriotic who served Nigeria in his prime, he also recalled that he parted his salaries to young players when he played for Gateway United, Ogun state.

"He didn't tell me that any club owed him.
In fact, when he played for Gateway FC he told the management to give whatever was due to him to the young players in the club." He concluded.

Scoring 37 goals for Nigeria in 58 appearances, Yekini was the national record goalscorer. He was part of the team that participated in the 1994, where he netted Nigeria's first-ever goal in a World Cup , in a 3–0 win against Bulgaria, his celebration after scoring, crying while holding the goal's net, became one of the iconic images of the tournament and the 1994 FIFA World Cups.

Additionally, having won the African Best Player in 1993, Yekini helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia where he also topped the goal charts and was named best player of the competition. He also
participated at Olympic level in Seoul 1988.