Rashidi Yekim’s pride of place in Nigerian football is so evident because he holds the record of the most prolific goal poacher in the country’s football history.
During his playing days, “Yeking” as he was fondly called scored goals with ease both in the domestic league he played in Africa and in Europe as well as in the International scene. He was the first Nigerian to win the prestigious CAF African Footballer of the year.
Born on October 23, 1963 in Kaduna, the ever potent striker netted a total of 37 goals for Nigeria’s national side in 64 appearances, making him the country’s highest goal scorer of all time.
With an intimidating height of 1.90m (6ft 3ins), Yekim began his football career in the Nigerian League with UNTL Kaduna in 1981 and moved to shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, for which he starred in 1982-’84.
In 1984 Yekini signed for Abiola Babes of Abeokuta were he made head lines till 1987 soccer season before he sojourned to Ivory Coast on a professional stint with Africa Sports National between 1987-1990.
It was from Ivory Coast that he went to Portugal to play for Victoria de Setubal, where he experienced his most memorable years, eventually becoming the Portuguese first divisions top scorer in 1993-’94. His performance earned him the title of African Footballer of the year in 1993.
According to available records, Rashidi made 108 appearances for Victoria de Setubal between 1990 and ’94 scoring 90 goals.
Shortly after the 1994 World Cup (USA ’94), Olympiacos of Greece signed on Yekini but the move never brought out the best of the leggy striker as he did’nt get along well with his teammates. For this reason he left the club after only four appearances, scoring just 2 goals.
He may not necessarily be the all round striker that will dribble and mesmerize defenders before finding the back of the net. But he sure knew how to be at the right place at the right time in the danger zone of the opponents to receive killer passes before clinically finishing them off either with his head or venom right foot short.
Little wonder he was able to take the honour and privilege of being the first Nigerian player to score in the FIFA World Cup (his trade mark goal against Bulgaria in USA ’94).
The King of Goals continues in our next edition………
