#4 Yusif Yakubu (1999 – 2014)
If you ask Indian football fans about the best poacher they’ve seen in recent years, one unanimous name which arises is Yusif Yakubu. An unbeatable eye for goal, Yusif is a Ghanian footballer who rose to prominence playing for Churchill Brothers, where he scored 65 goals in 103 appearances. Top Scorer in the NFL in 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, Yusif caught the eye of Mahindra United, who signed him in 2004.
At Mahindra United, Yakubu won the NFL in the 2005-06 season. Yakubu, in fact, is the all-time top scorer in the NFL, notching up over a 100 goals in just about 10 years. The nimble-footed striker is an introvert and a shy guy off the pitch. However, on the pitch, Yakubu is known to fire on all cylinders. A proven goal-scorer, Yakubu has scored wherever he has been.
The Ghanian striker, though, embodies professionalism. During his time at East Bengal and just before a Kolkata derby, Yakubu lost his mother. The brave-hearted footballer decided to stay back for the match. Yakubu did not just lead the team in attack but scored two superb goals to give East Bengal a 3-2 victory. Later, he dedicated both the goals to his late mother.
Yakubu is in his final years of his football career and is currently playing for Mumbai FC in the I-League. The striker is known for his runs behind the strikers and his sensible presence on the football pitch.
