Kwara Sports writers commend Buhari for bestowing late Rashidi Yekini with national honours

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Kwara state has thanked the Federal Government for rewarding Rashidi Yekini, the late football legend, with national award.

The deceased football legend has been conferred with the posthumous award of Member of the Order of the Niger.

The Informant247 learnt that former Super Eagles star hailed from Irra in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara.

The Informant247 also recalled that the former international footballer scored the country’s first ever World Cup goal against Bulgaria in 1994.

The legend also had 13 goals in the African Confederation Cup competitions when he was alive and he happened to be the then third top goal scorer of all time.

The late football player was among the 11 prominent personalities from Kwara state, and 456 nationals who were honored with national honours.

The legend was one of the two Kwarans that got the posthumous honour, and the other person was Benedict Okoh Ajide, the Chief Superintendent of Police.

The secretary of SWAN in Kwara, Olayinka Owolewa, made this revelation on Wednesday in Ilorin, the capital of the state.

The secretary revealed that the honour was as a result of the sterling performance of the former international footballer and contribution to the development of the world of sports.

Owolewa referred to Yekini as a true and patriotic citizen who has paid his dues both at all levels of football game.

The international football star had 37 goals as a Nigerian international and he has served as representative of Nigeria in seven major games, which include two World Cup championships.

The international football legend was also declared the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

Yekini gave up the ghost on May 4, 2012.