Google Doodle celebrates Rashidi Yekini’s 60th birthday. All you need to know about the Goalsfather

Yekini faced homelessness and poverty in his early life. Despite working as a welder and mechanic, his true passion was football. He caught the attention of scouts and began playing in front of them.

In 1981, Yekini joined his first football club, UNTL FC, in Kaduna. He later played for the Shooting Stars and scored an impressive 45 goals in 53 games.

In 1983, Yekini’s exceptional scoring abilities earned him the title of ‘African Footballer of the Year’, making him the first Nigerian player to receive this honor. The following year, he played a crucial role in taking the Shooting Stars to the finals of the African Champions Cup.

Yekini also played for various international clubs in countries such as Spain, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Greece, Portugal, and Switzerland. In the 1993-94 season, he won the Bola de Prata (Silver Ball) for being the top-scoring player in the league while playing for Portugal’s Vitória Setúbal.

He also made significant contributions to Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, helping them qualify for the 1994 World Cup. During the tournament, he scored Nigeria’s first goal and celebrated by clutching the net with tears of joy.

Yekini continued to play for the Super Eagles for over 14 years and participated in the 1998 World Cup as well. He holds the record for the most goals scored for Nigeria, with 37 goals in 58 games.

Witness the iconic goal celebration and achievements of Rashidi Yekini, the Goalsfather, on his 60th birthday.

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