Nigeria’s U-17 goalkeeper, Adeyinka Adewale, says his mother was “his pillar”.

Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Adeyinka Adewale, has lost his mom.

Adewale’s mother, Iyabo Adewale, passed away last Wednesday; and her crushed son says he can only hope to achieve the remaining part of his dreams, making his country proud.

The goal keeper, who described his mother as “his pillar”, was not informed of his mother’s demise until Monday night. His coach, Manu Garba, broke the sad news.

The late Mrs. Adewale, who was in her late forties, passed away at her home in Ilorin, Kwara State, last Wednesday after a brief illness. She has since been buried at her husband’s ancestral home in Modakeke, Osun State.

Adewale remains in camp with the rest of the team and prayers were offered on his behalf during Tuesday’s training sessions. Players and officials of the national under-17 team are in deep mourning with Adewale who was in goal when Nigeria defeated Niger 4-1 at the weekend, Morakinyo Abiodun, the team’s media officer has said.

The goal keeper described his mother’s death as very painful and sad; revealing that he felt something was amiss on the eve of the Niger versus Nigeria match. He eventually dismissed it as part of the peculiar pre-match’s tension.

“I knew something was wrong last Friday but I can’t really say what it was until I was told last night that my loveable mum died last Wednesday,” a crest-fallen Adewale said.

“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,” he said.