CAF offer condolences after death of Yekini

LAGOS (AFP) - The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent messages of condolence to Nigeria following the death of former international Rashidi Yekini.

The 1993 African Footballer of the Year died Friday at the age of 48 following a brief illness.

CAF president, Issa Hayatou, said: "It is with great sadness and sorrow that we learned about the passing away of Mr Rashidi Yekini.

"On behalf of the CAF executive committee, the Confederation of African Football, the entire Africa 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."

Hayatou went on to recount some of the late Yekini's illustrious contribution to football.

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

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also mourned the departed player.

"We express sadness and sorrow at the death of Nigeria's record goal scorer, Rashidi Yekini," said an NFF press release.

Yekini scored 37 goals in 58 appearances for Nigeria between 1983 and 1998.