Central defender Ismaila was best known for his coaching career, guiding Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States in 1999, where they were beaten on a golden goal by Brazil.

He led the country at Sydney 2000, where they exited at the group stage, and Athens 2004 where they lost to Germany in the quarter-finals.

Ismaila was the first coach to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 1998 with victory against Ghana after it succeeded the previous African Women's Championship format.

Nigeria Football Federation President Ibrahim Gusau was among those who paid tribute to Ismaila for his work.

"The death of Pa Ismaila Mabo came to me as a huge shock," Gusau said, as reported by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian.

"Again, we have lost a great man and an accomplished trainer-of-trainers in the Nigeria football fraternity, and my heart goes out to his immediate family and the other loved ones he has left behind.

"Mabo laid down a big marker for other coaches when he steered the Super Falcons to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the USA in 1999.

"Yet, he was simple, humble and humane.

"We will miss him, but we are consoled that he left giant footprints in the sands of time and pray that God will grant him eternal rest."

Former Nigeria women's national team captain Florence Omagbemi said Ismaila would be "remembered for the evolution of Nigeria’s women football", as reported by The Guardian.