Former Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Fregene Dies at 77 After Prolonged Illness

Peter Fregene, a former Nigerian national team goalkeeper, has passed away at the age of 77 following a lengthy battle with illness. Fregene, fondly known as “Apo” or the “Flying Cat” due to his incredible agility, was a celebrated figure in Nigerian football, representing the country at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico.

Fregene had been on life support for a week at a hospital in Sapele, Delta State, where he was surrounded by his wife, Tina, and two of his children at the time of his passing. The news of his death was confirmed by former teammate Segun Odegbami, who has been a strong advocate for Fregene’s care during his illness. Odegbami expressed his gratitude to those who supported the ex-goalkeeper throughout his health struggles, acknowledging the generous donations from well-wishers that helped sustain Fregene during his time of need.

Fregene’s condition drew attention to the struggles of retired Nigerian athletes, many of whom face severe health and financial difficulties in their later years. Odegbami has repeatedly called for the establishment of a welfare scheme to support aging sports stars, lamenting the lack of infrastructure to care for those who dedicated their lives to representing the nation on the field.

Fregene's football career spanned the 1960s and 1970s, during which he earned a reputation as one of Nigeria's finest goalkeepers. His passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered by many.