Former Juventus and Ajax star Sunday Oliseh has declared Rashidi Yekini the greatest Nigerian striker of all time, Soccernet.ng reports.
Oliseh, who played alongside Yekini in the Super Eagles, made this claim in a recent statement while reserving special praise for former Nantes and Nigeria forward Samson Siasia.
Nigeria has produced many talented strikers, including Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Victor Ikpeba, and Daniel Amokachi. However, Oliseh believes Yekini stands out above the rest.
Yekini is Nigeria’s top international scorer with 37 goals in 62 appearances. He scored Nigeria’s first World Cup goal in a 3-0 victory over Bulgaria in 1994, a moment celebrated across the nation.
In 1993, Yekini was named African Footballer of the Year. He was the top scorer in the 1992 and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and made the World Soccer Team of the Year in 1996.
At the club level, Yekini shone with Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) in Nigeria and Africa Sports in Côte d’Ivoire.
He made headlines in Portugal with Vitoria Setubal, becoming the league’s top scorer in both the second division and top flight in consecutive seasons. He also played for Sporting Gijon in Spain and FC Zurich in Switzerland.
Oliseh and Yekini shared many memorable moments with the national team. They were both part of the squad that won the AFCON in 1994 and performed well at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Their on-field chemistry was notable, with Oliseh often setting up Yekini with long passes.
Recently, Oliseh praised both Samson Siasia and Yekini while responding to a post on X marking the 30th anniversary of Siasia’s goal against Argentina in the 1994 World Cup.
Oliseh highlighted Yekini’s intelligent play in assisting Siasia’s brilliant goal, calling him the greatest striker Nigeria has ever had.
Oliseh wrote: “Samson was simply exceptional. look at his first touch control to dribble the defender, his composure & the world-class finish. Yekini’s intelligence to 1st attract many players to himself b4 releasing Sammy with the assist is why he is the greatest striker Nigeria has ever had!!”
Rashidi Yekini passed away in May 2012 at the age of 48 after an illness.