•Peter Fregene on sick bed
Former goalkeeper of Nigeria’s national team, the Green Eagles (now Super Eagles), Peter Fregene, is dead.
According to a brief statement by his football colleague, Segun Odegbami, made available to The Frontier, Fregene died last night a few minutes to midnight.
“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”, said Odegbami who was nicknamed “Mathematical Odegbami” in his active days in football.
“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!,” added Odegbami.
Recall that, on October 8, The Frontier had published a story with a headline:
“Former Nigeria’s Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Fregene is critically ill.”
Part of the story read:
“… Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene needs the financial assistance of all football-loving Nigerians, especially those who were thrilled in those good old days by the dexterity of the A-list footballer while he tended the goalpost for Nigeria during both local and international encounters in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
“…the former Eagles star, who was a household name in his hay days, is lying down sick right now at Obule Medical Centre in Sapele, Delta State, and ‘he is still waiting for help to come in order to be moved by ambulance to the Ohara Teaching Hospital, Ohara, Delta State.
“He has been waiting since yesterday …he still has other bills to pay before he can be moved. I pray that the Creator of the Universe will ‘show up’ again as He has always done. I implore all lovers of sports to pray for Peter Fregene. He needs our prayers!’”
And on Wednesday last week, Odegbami further informed with an update that “The Creator of a life has shown up. 3 Nigerians that I know, read me and volunteered to support his treatment in hospital. I accepted their offer and channelled their wish to Tina, Peter’s faithful wife that has stood by him completely through all the decades of his medical ordeal.”
Odegbami went on to announce that, “Meanwhile, tonight, Peter Fregene is in hospital and on life-support. His situation is critical. The Creator of Life has shown up. What Peter Fregene needs the most now are our collective prayers that the will of His Creator be done!
“I thank all Nigerians for their concern and response to the humble cry of their hero currently in distress.”
But last night, the former Nigerian ace goalkeeper, Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene gave up the ghost.
