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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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Italian couple name new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman

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An Italian couple have reportedly named their new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, after he scored a spectacular goal against Olympic Marseille of France in the Europa League semifinal second leg match to take Atalanta to the final.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring for Atalanta before Ruggeri and Toure sealed the win in their second-leg semi-final tie to set up a mouth-watering final tie with Victor Boniface’s Leverkusen.

According to reports from EuroFoot on X, Ademola’s performance was recognised by the couple who live in Palosco, a district in Bergamo where the Italian club is based.

“Somebody named their child after Ademola Lookman following his goal which helped send the Italian club to the Europa League final!” EuroFoot said in the post.

The post added that Lookman’s contribution to Atalanta’s advancement to the Europa League final caught the attention of the adoring Italian couple who decided to name their child after him.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian international was on Friday, named the Europa League Player of the Week following his outstanding performance in Atalanta’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille in the semifinal.

According to UEFA’s official website, Lookman’s performance also included three attempts, further highlighting his influential role in Atalanta’s dominant display

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AIU suspends Kenyan marathoner Josephine Chepkoech over alleged use of prohibited substances

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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan half distance runner, Josephine Chepkoech, over alleged use of prohibited substances during the Barcelona Half Marathon held on February 17, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.

The AIU, in a statement on Thursday, said Chepkoech was suspended following allegations of doping involving the prohibited substance, testosterone.

In the statement, the AIU said Chepkoech had been served with a Notice of Allegation for violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Josephine Chepkoech (Kenya) for Presence (Testosterone Metabolites)/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone),” the AIU stated.

Chepkoech ran a personal best marathon time of 2:22:38 in February at the Seville Marathon, but with the suspension, the record is not likely to stand.

The AIU said the move was part of its crackdown on prohibited substances in athletics which has seen a rising number of Kenyan athletes penalized.

The 35-year-old had made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Nairobi Marathon, dominating the women’s race with a winning time of 2:33:11.

Her provisional suspension means she cannot participate in any competition until a final decision is reached which could result in an acquittal or a formal ban.

She faces a two-year ban pending a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal.

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