Date: 2012-05-05

Nigeria all-time leading scorer,  Rashidi Yekini, who passed on Friday, will be buried today (Saturday) in his hometown, Ira, Oyun local government area of Kwara State,  SuperSport.com is reporting.

Kwara State Commissioner of Sports told the website the late Eagles star would be buried according to Islamic rites.

We are still unable to ascertain what led to the death of the prolific striker's death, but reports say he died two days after he was brought back home from overseas where he had sought medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the shocking death of football legend, Rashidi Yekini, has continued to generate reactions from teammates, while some are even too shock to make any comment.

Ben Iroha a member of the all conquering USA'94 team described the news of Yekini's death as shocking.

For him. the manner the once celebrated football hero died, is even more painful.

"It's a very sad news that Yekini is dead, while we were together in the Eagles, he was a very humble and a religious personality. Sadly, life after football wasn't too good for him for reasons I can't explain. It's a big loss that's all I can say for now."

For another teammate, Thompson Oliha, who revealed he was on his way to attend the burial rite in Offa Ilorin, "Yekini is a football icon whose name will forever be remembered both locally and internationally.

"I am so sad right now, I heard he was very sick before he died, I wish the news of his death was a rumour but sadly it is true. We just have to rally around the children and family he left behind now" oliha said.

Ike Shorunmu, one of the few close friends of Yekini, says he is still too devastated by the news

"I don't know what to say. It is a bad day in the history of Nigerian football. Don't forget that I'm close  to Rashidi. I'm yet to wake up from a bad dream" he said.

CAF President, Hayatou, mourns Ye-king

CAF President, Issa Hayatou, on Saturday sent a letter of condolence to NFF President, Aminu Maigari, over the death of former International striker, Rashidi Yekini.

"It is with great sadness and sorrow that we learnt of the passing away of Mr Rashidi Yekini on May 4th at the young age of 49 at Ibadan.

"On behalf of the CAF Executive Committee, the Confederation of African Football, the entire African football family and in my personal name, I hereby present to you, to the Nigerian football family and to Mr. Yekini's family our most sincere condolences.

"The one-time African Footballer of the Year in 1993 was Nigeria's national record goalscorer, netting 37 goals in 58 appearances. He represented Nigeria at the 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1994 African Nations Cup finals and also represented Nigeria at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

"His fantastic displays of skills and talent were evident to the world during Nigeria's campaigns at the USA '94 and France '98 World Cup finals. We will deeply miss him.

"May God bless his soul and give patience and strength to his family."

Before his letter to the NFF president, Mr. Hayatou had told fifa.com, "CAF president and FIFA vice-president Issa Hayatou said: "I remember him well - he was a solid attacker. It was so difficult to take the ball from him.

"His physical strength was impressive. His joviality made him an endearing character. He has made a mark on his generation and received recognition from the pantheon of African football.

"In these painful circumstances I want to send in my name and on behalf of all the executive committee and the entire African football family my deepest condolences to his people, the Nigerian Federation and all its supporters. May God bless his soul and comfort his family."