AFCON
‘GOALS FATHER’, RASHIDI YEKINI: EIGHT YEARS AFTER
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is eight years today since Nigeria’s all-time top scorer, Rashidi Yekini breathe his last.
The tall and bulky striker died in Ibadan where he was reportedly abducted by family members for treatment of suspected bipolar disorder, depression and some other undisclosed psychiatric conditions. He was aged 48.
Goal-scoring was his major attribute. Although Yekini last scored for Nigeria in a 22 February 1998 friendly match with Jamaica in Kingston, 22 years later, no other Super Eagles’ player moved close to his 37- goal mark.
In the qualifying series for the 1994 World Cup, his eight-goal effort was the highest in the Africa. He went on to set a record as Nigeria’s first scorer at the World Cup when he connected a long pass from Finidi George from the right flank in the match against Bulgaria.
The year before, the tall bulky player was voted African Footballer for the Year 1993. The honour was bestowed on him on the eve of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He further justified the rating by topping goal chart at the tournament.
Yekini had an amazing instinct for goal and easily be anyone’s idea of a striker. He was nicknamed the “Hulk” for his bulldozing style, dominating physique and towering presence.
He was at the brink of shooting into record books had he scored in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations final match against Zambia or if Nigeria had not pulled out of the next edition in South Africa.
Yekini could have topped an all-time goal chart. At the time, he needed just one goal to equal the 14 scored by initial record holder, the Ivorien Laurent Pokou whose record endured for 20 years from 1974 to 1994.
Yekini debuted at the Cote d’Ivoire ’84. He went on to feature in the 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 finals.
The South Africa ’96 would have been his sixth championship and a record appearance.
With Shooting Stars in Ibadan, he was a finalist in the premier continental cup competition -the then African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1984.
He won the Challenge Cup with the Abiola Babes. When he crossed the country’s frontier to play in Cote d’Ivoire, he became an idol at Africa Sports of Abidjan.
He later moved to Europe and joined Vitoria Setubal of Portugal where in 24 games at Season 1990/91, Yekini scored 13 goals.
The following season, he scored 22 goals in 30 matches and 24 in 26 matches in 1992/93 season.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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