Ex- Nigeria international goalkeeper Oeter Fregene, has passed away after a Protracted illness.
Segun Odegbami, a close friend and former international, confirmed Fregene’s passing on Sunday.
The legendary Nigerian football player passed away in front of his wife Tina and his two children, according to Odegbami, following a lengthy 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 on Sunday.
Fregene was renowned for his remarkable reflexes and tenacity between the posts.
He played for Nigeria at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and was a mainstay of the national squad throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Due to his skill in goal, he was given the moniker “Apo” for his exploits.
In the message, Odegbami also expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported the football legend 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.