Former Nigeria national team goalkeeper, fregene is dead

Former Nigeria national team goalkeeper Peter “Apo” Fregene has been reported dead after a prolonged battle with health issues which had sparked widespread concern, prompting an outpouring of support from the sports community.

Penpushing reports that the demise of the 77 years old and 1968 Olympian was made known on Monday by former national team captain, Segun Odegbami adding that Fregene died peacefully in the presence of his wife, Tina, and two children.

The statement captioned ‘And the Man Died’, Odegbami a renowned sports journalist and former Nigerian international, expressed gratitude to the numerous individuals who supported Fregene’s treatment until his eventual death.

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

Penpushing further reports that Odegbami had earlier launched appeal fund for the deceased, which brought comfort to Fregene’s family, and thanked Nigerians for their response to the humble cry of their hero in distress.

The former Green Eagles Captain, however, lamented the government’s neglect of sports, leaving veterans like Fregene vulnerable, questioning why Nigerian government cannot set up a simple welfare scheme for active and retired athletes to take care of their declining health in old age

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