Team Mates Pay Tributes

The late Nigerian prolific striker, Rashidi Yekini, was on Saturday eulogised by his team mates and football fans as he was buried, saying he would be remembered for his great contributions to football.

Mutiu Adepoju, a former team mate and Manager of 3SC of Ibadan, said Yekini would be remembered for so many good things, especially for his football exploits.

“Yekini is the one and only great man and player who has done Nigeria proud on many occasions when he was playing. I wish him eternal rest,’’ he said.

He told newsmen that he saw Yekini three weeks ago without any sign of illness or fatigue.

“I saw him about three weeks ago and he didn’t look sick, though we didn’t see at close distance but he looked healthy,’’ Adepoju said.

Thompson Oliha described the death of Yekini who played for Vitoria Setubal FC of Portugal as sad and untimely.

“It’s sad that he has to leave us now, when so many young talents can benefit from his wealth of experience, but nobody can question God.

“We also lost our medical man in person of Alashi Johnson in Kwara; may his soul rest in peace,” Oliha said

Ike Shrounmu, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper said Yekini’s death was painful.

“It’s very painful, we tried our best to support him, it was shocking news from his family; we lost a great player.

“I am on my way for his burial at Irra now, I pray God will give his family and friends the fortitude to bear the loss,’’ Shrounmu said

For Nduka Ugbade, the death of his former team mate was a shocking development.

He said that he was not in a position to speak further on it but would do so in due course.

Others who mourned Yekini are Sanusi Mohammed, the Director of Competitions, Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and former Super Eagles Assistant coach, Joe Erico.