Ex-Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Fregene dies after protracted illness

Peter Fregene, the former Green Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper, is dead.

Segun Odegbami, a close friend of Fregene and ex-international, broke the news in a heartfelt Facebook post on Sunday night.

Odegbami said the Nigerian football legend died in the presence of Tina, his wife, and two of his children after a protracted illness.

The 72-year-old former striker who recently solicited financial assistance for Fregene, 77, expressed gratitude to those who supported the ex-goalkeeper during his illness.

“And the Man died. 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 wrote.

“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’.

“Good night ‘Apo’. Rest my friend, rest in peace, finally!”

Popularly known as the ‘Flying Cat’ or ‘Apo’, Fregene was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Nigeria national football team from 1968 to 1971. He was then recalled for the 1982 African Cup of Nations finals. He also represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

During a career spanning over two decades — from the 1960s to the 1980s — he won the Nigerian FA Cup with both ECN and Stationery Stores.