Former Nigeria star Rashidi Yekini has passed away

May 5, 2012 12:25:00 AM

The ex-striker, who is perhaps best known for his memorable goal celebration versus Bulgaria at World Cup 1994, has sadly been found dead after suffering from sickness

Former Nigeria international Rashidi Yekini passed away on Friday in Ibadan after suffering from mental illness for the past two years.

The ex-striker, who was only 48, is Nigeria's all-time record goalscorer after netting 37 times in 58 matches for the Super Eagles.

Yekini will be famously remembered for his iconic goal celebration after scoring Nigeria's first-ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria in the 1994 edition of the competition in the USA.

The former forward started his career at UNTL Kaduna in 1981 before spending the next nine years in his native Africa. Yekini then moved to Europe, where he enjoyed a successful four-year spell at Vitoria Setubal in Portugal.

He later enjoyed spells in Greece, Spain, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia before eventually calling time on his playing career in 2003 with Nigerian club, Julius Berger.

Yekini did come out of retirement briefly in 2005, when at 41 years of age he joined Gateway United for a short spell.

His body will be taken to Offa to be buried, Yekini's home town in Kwara State.