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Google Doodle pays tribute to late Nigerian football legend, Rashidi Yekini on posthumous 60th birthday

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Google has paid a glowing tribute to late Nigerian football legend, Rashidi Yekini by dedicating its Doodle artwork to the iconic star on his posthumous 60th birthday.

The Google Doodle features an artwork of Yekini’s celebration after he scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at a world cup at the 1994 Mundial in the United States.

In the doodle artwork, the global search engine highlighted the greatest moments of the late footballer’s life as he screamed through the net on June 21, 1994, after scoring the first goal at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during the Super Eagles World Cup match against Bulgaria.

Today’s Google Doodle commemorates the legendary footballer on what would have been his 60th birthday.

Giving a background on the late star player, Google revealed he was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, on October 23, 1963, and died in 2012.

“Yekini’s life story is a testament to determination and talent that overcame adversity.

“Yekini overcame poverty and homelessness to make his mark as one of Nigeria’s greatest football stars.

“His greatest moment came following scoring against Bulgaria, Yekini ran into the net and clutched it with both arms while tearfully celebrating after scoring Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup finals goal.

“Many consider it one of the most iconic goal celebrations in football history and it served as inspiration for today’s Doodle artwork,” said Google.

Yekini is still the Super Eagles’ all-time leading scorer with 37 goals. He gave Nigerians so much joy in his playing days.

After a prolific career at club level in Nigeria with the likes of UNTL FC and IICC Shooting Stars, Yekini moved to Ivory Coast where he played for Africa Sport and from there to Portugal where he played for Vitoria Setubal, among others.

He was named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993 before helping the Super Eagles to win the 1994 African Nations Cup in Tunisia.

In his active days, Yekini was christened the “Goalsfather” by fans his for his extraordinary ability to repeatedly outwit goalkeepers and score.

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Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

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Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

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SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

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South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”

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