FIFA, Ghana mourn Yekini

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines, Soccer, Sports Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

World football governing body, FIFA, and the Ghana Football Association have sent condolence messages to Nigeria on the death of a former Africa Footballer of the Year, Rashidi Yekini. The football icon died on Friday in Oshogbo, Osun State.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, in a letter addressed to the Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday, said Yekini’s goal at the 1994 World Cup against Bulgaria confirmed him as a legend in Nigerian football.

“I remember Rasheed Yekini well. He scored nearly 40 goals as a Nigerian international and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two FIFA World Cup (finals). He was also named the Africa Footballer of the Year in 1993,” Blatter wrote.

“Rasheed Yekini was one of the great figures at the FIFA World Cup 1994 in the United States. He scored his first ever (World Cup) goal for his country against Bulgaria. This goal secures his place as a legend in the annals of Nigerian football history.

“On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to you, to everyone at the Nigeria Football Federation and, most importantly, to the family of Rasheed Yekini, his friends and loved ones. Please, let them know that today, the football community stands by their side.”

GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, who was also mourning the death of former Senegal striker, Jules Bocande, said, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of untimely deaths of Yekini and Bocande.

“The football fraternity in Ghana will mourn the loss of these African greats. We would also like to extend our condolences to the football fraternity in Nigeria and Senegal.

“This is a tragedy and our thoughts are with the families of the two legends of African football at this terrible time.”

-Punchwp_posts