"The man kept away completely from the searchlight and will relate with only a few persons, therefore details of his sickness were shrouded in secrecy,''� a statement by the NFA's media officer, Ademola Olajire said.

It described the late former Super Eagles player as the most outstanding striker that Nigeria had ever produced, adding that he loomed large in 15 years of meritorious and unconditional service to his fatherland.

"During the period, he won the African Cup of Nations gold, silver and bronze and played at two FIFA World Cup finals,'' it said.

Meanwhile, a Lagos State lawmaker has urged the National Sport Council (NSC) to give full support to Nigerian sports stars after they had served the country meritoriously.

Mr Rotimi Olowo, (ACN Somolu I), reacting to the death of former Nigeria football star, Rashidi Yekini� said on Saturday that there should be a conscious effort to take care of all Nigerians sports stars, especially in retirement.

"There should be a conscious effort to support and take care of the sport stars when in service and after serving the nation,'' he said.

The lawmaker said that the NSC should change from neglecting them after serving the country with all their youthful energy.

Another lawmaker in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Segun Olulade, (ACN-Epe II), said Nigeria should celebrate sports stars while they were still alive.
Olulade described the death of Yekini as unfortunate and said he died as a result of abandonment, neglect and lack of support from the government and the people.