Ex-Super Eagles Keeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare, dies of cancer

Another tragedy has hit the Nigerian football family as a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare, finally lost his battle against cancer on Tuesday morning at a Spanish hospital he was receiving treatment.

Agbonavbare 48, was initially treated in Florida, United States, before he was transferred to the Prince of Asturias Hospital in Alcalá de Henares.

The news of Agbonavbare ‘s demise was confirmed by his former Spanish Club Rayo Vallecano who only last weekend helped raise 21,106.90 euros (over N4.5m) to help the former Eagles goalie. The effort may have now gone down the drain.
“El Rayo Vallecano informs that our ex- player Wilfred Agbonavbare has died early this morning at the Prince of Asturias Hospital in Alcalá de Henares,” Vallecano said on their official website on Tuesday. “The Club shall, as soon as possible, and with permission from the family (confirm) the place where you can give him a last farewell.”

The club did all it could to get the ex-keeper’s three children over from Nigeria to see their father for the last time, but all the paperwork and bureaucratic steps to be taken were not completed in time before Agbonavbare passed away Tuesday.

Sadly, Agbonavbare’s wife died of breast cancer three years ago after gulping all their earnings.

Only last weekend too, former Flying Eagles and U17 Coach Musa Abdulahi died of stroke after seven years of fighting the sickness.