A former Green Eagles goalkeeper Peter Fregene alias Apo has died, according to ex-Nigeria international Segun Odegbami.
Odegbami wrote on Sunday on social media that Fregene died in the presence of his wife, Tina, and two of his children after a protracted illness.
“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,” Odegbami wrote.
Fregene represented Nigeria at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and featured prominently in the national team during the 1960s and 70s. He was known for his incredible reflexes and resilience between the posts.
In his social media post, Odegbami thanked all who rallied around the football icon during his illness.
“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 stated.
Born May 14, 1949, in Sapele, Delta State, Fregene played for Lagos rivals Electric Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) and Stationery Stores during a career that spanned the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He won the Nigerian FA Cup with both ECN and Stationery Stores.
