Players and officials of the national Under-17 team are in deep mourning with Adeyinka Adewale who was in goal when Nigeria defeated Niger 4-1 at the weekend, following the demise of his mother.

Madam Iyabo Sarah Adewale, who was in her late forties, passed away at her home in Ilorin, Kwara State last Wednesday after a brief illness. But the heart-breaking news was kept away until he was informed by Head coach, Manu Garba (MFR) late Monday night.

The late Madam Adeyinka has since been buried at her husband's ancestral home in Modakeke in Osun State. Adeyinka remains in camp with the rest of the team as prayers were offered on his behalf during Tuesday's training sessions.

Adeyinka described the death of his mum as very painful and sad; revealing that he felt something was amiss with him on the eve of the Niger versus Nigeria match but this was misconstrued by teammates as part of the peculiar pre-match tension, adding that the death of his mum has left a big vacuum in his young life.

"I knew something was wrong last Friday but I couldn't really say what it was until I was told last night that my loveable mum died last Wednesday," a crest-fallen Adeyinka said matter-of-factly. "My mum was my pillar.

"She was a great mum who did so much for us and her memories will be with me forever. I'm pained that she was unable to see me play for Nigeria despite all what she did in my life but I can't forget her," he added.