Just In: Former Nigeria National Team Goalkeeper Is Dead

Former Green Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Fregene, has passed away.

Naija News reports that sad news was announced by his longtime friend and ex-international, Segun Odegbami, on Sunday.

Odegbami revealed that Fregene died peacefully after a prolonged illness, with his wife, Tina, and two of his children by his side.

The football legend, who had been on life support for the past week, finally succumbed to his health challenges, marking the end of an era for Nigerian football.

Earlier this year, Odegbami had publicly sought financial assistance for Fregene’s medical care.

In a statement issued in March, he shared that the former goalkeeper was hospitalized in Sapele, Delta State, and required urgent medical attention.

Although some support was provided, including an ambulance covered by Tony Ojesina, more funds were still needed for further treatment at a teaching hospital.

Odegbami also used the opportunity to highlight the absence of a functional welfare system for retired athletes in Nigeria, lamenting the hardships many face in their later years.

In his update on Sunday, Odegbami expressed his grief, writing, “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 his two children and his devoted wife, Tina.”

Fregene’s legacy is well remembered, especially his standout performances for Nigeria’s national team in the 1960s and 70s, including his participation in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Known for his incredible reflexes and shot-stopping ability, Fregene earned the nicknames ‘Apo’ and ‘Flying Cat,’ a testament to his agility and skill between the posts.

Tributes have since poured in from across the sports community, honoring his contributions to Nigerian football and his impact on the generations that followed.