FORMER Green Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Fregene, is dead. His death was announced by Segun Odegbami on Sunday.
Odegbami, Peter Fregene’s friend and ex-international, said the legend died after a protected illness in the presence of his wife, Tina, and two of his children.
Recall that this newspaper reported that Segun Odegbami solicited financial assistance for the ailing Fregene.
In a statement on Tuesday, Odegbami disclosed that Fregene was hospitalised in Sapele, Delta state, and urgently needed medical attention and financial assistance.
He said although “Tony Ojesina covered the ambulance costs, more funds need to be paid before he can be moved” to the teaching hospital.
Odegbami also lamented what he described as “the lack of a functional welfare scheme for retired athletes” in Nigeria.
Giving an update 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, sports persons, 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 was active in the national doorball team in the 1960s and 70s.
Due to his incredible reflexes and resilience between the posts, he fot nicknames such as ‘Apo’ and ‘Flying Cat’.
