Former Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Fregene is D3AD

Former Green Eagles goalkeeper Peter Fregene has passed away, as announced by his friend and ex-teammate Segun Odegbami on Sunday.

Fregene died after battling a long illness, surrounded by his wife, Tina, and two of his children.

Earlier this year, Vanguard had reported that Odegbami had called for financial help for the ailing Fregene, who had been hospitalized in Sapele, Delta State, and was in urgent need of medical care.

While some support was received, including Tony Ojesina covering ambulance costs, more funds were needed for his transfer to a teaching hospital.

Odegbami, in his statement, lamented the absence of a proper welfare system for retired athletes in Nigeria.

On Sunday, he gave the sad update: “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.”

Fregene, known for his extraordinary reflexes, earned nicknames like “Apo” and “Flying Cat” during his career.

He represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and was a key figure in Nigerian football throughout the 1960s and 70s.

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