Bereaved mother of erstwhile Nigerian international, Rashidi Yekini has exclusively revealed the ordeal that killed her son, SuperSport.com can report.

Rashidi Yekini was confirmed dead in his hometown,Ira, Oyun local government in Kwara State on Friday after years of illness.

The mother of the deceased, Alhaja Sikiratu Yekini divulged to SuperSport.com that his son has been battling with mental illness since the year 2010.

The septuagenarian added that several attempts made to take care of the former Super Eagles' striker proved abortive as the deceased claimed he was mentally sound.

"We have been on the problem since 2010 and we tried our best but my son refused to be taken care of.

"When he came back, we asked him why he has done what he did but he replied by burning all his belongings. I lost my husband in 1978 and Rashidi has been with me since then," she concluded tearfully.

Yekini is the all-time leading scorer for the Nigerian men's team with 37 goals.

The Nigerian legend will be buried in islamic rites by 4.30pm (Nigerian time) on Saturday in his hometown Ira, Kwara State.