Former Super Eagles goalie Peter Fregene critically ill, needs urgent help

• Former Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Fregene is critically ill and on life support in Delta State
• Odegbami clarified he is not raising funds for Fregene’s medical care but will appreciate Nigerians if their support
• Odegbami questioned the absence of support systems for ex-sportspeople in the country

Heartbreaking moment for Nigerian football fans as former national team goalkeeper Peter Fregene is currently on life support, battling for his life at a hospital in Ohara, Delta State. Renowned football icon Segun Odegbami, revealed the distressing news on Tuesday, October 8, urging Nigerians to join together and offer prayers for the ailing legend.

Sharing the sobering news, Odegbami said, 

“Peter Fregene is in the hospital and on life support. His situation is critical.” 

Fregene, whose storied career saw him defend Nigeria’s goalpost at the 1968 Olympics, has faced numerous health challenges over the years, leading to his current condition.

Odegbami had previously raised the alarm over Fregene’s deteriorating health earlier this week, explaining that the former goalkeeper was initially admitted to a hospital in Sapele and was in dire need of medical intervention. 

“He is still waiting for help to come in order to be moved by ambulance to the Ohara Teaching Hospital, Ohara, Delta State,” Odegbami revealed earlier in the week.

Thankfully, the Nigerian public responded with overwhelming support, though Odegbami clarified that he is not personally involved in raising funds for Fregene’s care, 

“I am not raising or collecting any funds on behalf of Peter’s family,” and assured that if necessary, he would take on the task if requested.

This present issue serves as a reminder of the struggles that many retired Nigerian athletes face in their post-sporting lives. Odegbami lamented the lack of structured support for ex-athletes, questioning, 

“Why don’t we have, or why can’t we set up, even on our own, a simple welfare scheme for active and retired athletes across all sports in the country to take care of our declining health in old age?”

As Fregene fights for his life, Nigerians across the country have shown an outpouring of support, but his situation begs the urgent need for a more sustainable solution for retired sportsmen.

Osimhen eyes Odegbami’s record in Super Eagles’ game against Rwanda

Previously, TheRadar reported that Victor Osimhen added another chapter to his remarkable career, becoming Nigeria’s third-highest goal scorer by netting his 22nd goal in a 3-0 win against Benin Republic on Saturday, September 7. 

Now trailing only Rashidi Yekini and Segun Odegbami, Osimhen is on the path to etching his legacy among the legends of Nigerian football. Yekini, who scored 37 goals in 58 matches, set a high standard for future strikers, but Osimhen is determined to keep climbing up the score chart.