The 48-year-old defender died of cardiac arrest on Friday while being rushed to the University College Hospital in Ibadan.

“Just yesterday he drove himself to the hospital (not UCH) after complaining that he was not feeling well. The same yesterday he posted the birthday of his first son on his Facebook wall. It is so sad and may his soul rest in perfect peace, ” a friend told Sportinglife.ng.

Sportinglife.ng gathered that Ajibade was later referred to UCH following the way he was breathing heavily .

“His blood pressure was so high that the hospital had to call for his elder brother who quickly called for his immediate discharge and referral to UCH. It was at the entrance of UCH that he passed on around 11am.

Until his death, Ajibade who was a member of the Super Eagles squad that won bronze at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal was the manager of Shooting Stars of Ibadan.

He is survived by a wife and three kids, who all live in the United States of America.

Babalade began his professional club career at Stationery Stores and also 3SC, with whom he reached the final of the CAF Champions League in 1996.

Outside Nigeria, he plied his trade with Ivoirian side, African Sports, Anyang LG Cheetahs (Korea), SK Sturm Graz (Austria) and Indian club Mohun Bagan AC.