Accra, May 9 (IANS): The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has paid tributes to two celebrated African footballers, Nigeria's Rashidi Yekini and Jules Bocande of Senegal, who passed away Friday and Monday, respectively.

Yekini, a former Nigerian superstar was 48, while former Senegalese national star Jules Bocande, 54, died Monday in France, reports Xinhua.

GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi, sent a message of "sincere condolences" to the families of Yekini and Bocande, saying the association was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the untimely death of the two African distinguished players.

Yekini scored 40 goals from 58 games as a Nigerian international, and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups, where he scored the country 's first-ever goal against Bulgaria at the 1994 edition in the United States. He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

Bocande, who finished top scorer of France's Ligue 1 championship in 1985-86, played for his country in the 1980s and 1990s. He never played at a World Cup but he did play a major role in Senegal's run to the last eight of the 2002 finals co-hosted by Japan and Korea.

He worked as assistant coach to Frenchman Bruno Metsu as the Teranga Lions, Senegal's national soccer team, stunned the world by reaching the quarterfinals in 2002 World Cup.