Peter Fregene, former Green Eagles goalkeeper, has reportedly passed away.
His death was announced by Segun Odegbami in a statement on Sunday.
Odegbami, Peter Fregene’s friend and ex-international, said the legend died after a long illness in front of his wife Tina and two of his children.
Prior his death, Odegbami solicited financial assistance for the ailing Fregene.
Odegbami stated on Tuesday that Fregene was hospitalised in Sapele, Delta State, and required immediate medical attention and financial support.
He stated that, while Tony Ojesina funded the ambulance fees, additional payments are required before he can be transferred to the teaching hospital.
Odegbami also decried “the lack of a functional welfare scheme for retired athletes” in Nigeria.
In a statement on Sunday, Odegbami wrote: “A few minutes ago, Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene, OLY, former goalkeeper for Nigeria’s Green Eagles, who has been on life support for the past one week, passed on to meet his creator.
“He died quietly in the presence of two of his children and his devoted wife, Tina.
“On behalf of all generations of Nigerian footballers, Olympians, sportspersons, his family, friends, fans, and a few incredible Nigerians that quietly rallied round and, with their support, prayers, and the will of the creator of the universe, kept him alive until this night, I say a big ‘thank you’,” he added.
Fregene represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and played for the national football team in the 1960s and 1970s.
His extraordinary reflexes and resilience between the posts earned him nicknames like ‘Apo’ and ‘Flying Cat’.
