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.