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.
AFCON
Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.
Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.
Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.
CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Training and skill development.
- Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.
Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.
CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.
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AFCON
CAF Security Chief, Nigeria’s Emeruwa, Leads Inspection of Tangier Stadium Ahead of Major Tournaments
Nigeria’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, President of the Security and Safety Division of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Thursday, September 18, led an inspection visit to the Grand Stade de Tangier as preparations intensify for upcoming continental and global football events.
Emeruwa, who heads CAF’s continental security architecture, was joined by CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, senior Moroccan officials, and executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The delegation also included managers of operational companies at the Grand Stade and SONARGES executives.
According to Le 360, the Nigerian official expressed satisfaction with the stadium’s facilities after touring key operational areas, including the main control room with its giant surveillance screen, as well as spectator, player, and VIP access zones.
The inspection was bolstered by the presence of Morocco’s top security and administrative officers—the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, officials of the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, the Wali of Security, the governor in charge of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP).
A technical meeting followed the tour, where engineers presented recent safety and security upgrades. Among the highlights was the planned installation of a FIFA-standard tarpaulin roof to enhance the venue’s compliance with global hosting requirements.
For Nigeria, the spotlight on Dr. Emeruwa underscores the country’s growing influence in African football administration, particularly in the critical areas of safety and security management for CAF competitions.
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Morocco has received 723 high-end buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong as part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Yutong said on social media that the fleet “has officially rolled off the production line” and will provide “comprehensive transport services and reliable operational support” during the tournament.
An official handover ceremony was held on Friday at the company’s facility in Zhengzhou, Henan province, attended by Moroccan representatives and Yutong executives.
The buses were designed to cope with Morocco’s terrain and climate, including steep slopes, heat and sandstorms. They feature an independent front axle suspension to navigate narrow city streets and Yutong’s in-house “Blue Core System” for fuel efficiency.
The delivery is the largest single order of Chinese buses in Africa. Yutong will station more than 100 technicians in Morocco to provide training, maintenance and round-the-clock support during AFCON.
The deal is part of Morocco’s broader transport strategy, which includes plans to purchase 7,000 new buses by 2030—half of them electric—as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
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