Ivorians Honour Yekini’s Life

Almost every Ivorian knows the name Rashidi Yekini, including kids born long after the Nigerian player left the west African country.

It was with great shock and sadness when Ivorians heard of his death on Friday, of the man who revolutionised the country’s domestic league during the late 1980s with his attacking and goal-scoring prowess, which magically dragged thousands to football stadiums.

“We have not seen any other player like Yekini in this country,” Kone Ahmed, a 54-year-old municipal agent told  Tidesports source at the weekend.

“He was like a rock star here while playing for Africa Sports. Families were naming their babies after him. Business joints like nightclubs, beer parlours, restaurants, car wash, etc, were putting Rashidi Yekini on their signposts to attract clients. Buses and taxis were emblazoned with his name. Even villagers knew and adored him. It is so sad that he died so young.”

Africa Sports’ former president Simplice Zinzou, who worked closely with the 1993 African Footballer of the Year, said the player had vision and a likeable image.

“When we sign other foreign players, it usually takes some years for them to gain total acceptance from the fans and general public, but it took Yekini less than three months to spread his name across the land,” Zinzou said.

“Besides the pitch, he was a star in town. He couldn’t move around without a horde of fans following him and demanding for autographs. And despite his popularity he remained humble and generous to both his team mates and fans. It is a very sad day for me and the club to hear this news.”

Tidesports source visited one of Yekini’s business spots in Treichville, an ancient district in central Abidjan, where the Biafra soldiers took refuge during the Nigerian civil war of 1967.