NFF sad over Agbonavbare's death

Babalola Tomiwa

The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed sadness after the death of a former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare, was announced.

The former Nigerian international, who had been battling with cancer was confirmed dead by his former Spanish Club, Rayo Vallecano who were instrumental last weekend in raising 21,106.90 euros (over 4.5 million naira) needed for the operation.

“This is very sad coming only two days after the death of Coach Musa Abdullahi. The Nigeria Football Federation became aware of Agbonavbare’s affliction only a couple of weeks ago," said Akinwunmi on behalf of the NFF.

“This is another true hero gone to rest too early. Agbonavbare was a patriot of the first grade and his contributions to Nigeria football on-field can never be forgotten.

The 48 year-old late Agbonavbare played for Rubber Board FC and New Nigeria Bank FC, both of Benin City, and also joined the Super Eagles’ squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia in 1994.

He was also a part of the Nigerian team that represented Nigeria in their first appearance at the World Cup finals in USA the same year.

He was in the first Nigeria team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup finals – the U-20 squad of 1983. At the finals in Mexico, the team famously defeated USSR but lost 3-0 to Brazil before a 0-0 draw with The Netherlands, exiting at group stage.

The well-built goaltender also represented the senior team at the 1984, 1988 and 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals, winning silver in all three, before grabbing gold in Tunisia in 1994.

He also played for Spanish club, Rayo Vallecano and he remained within and around the club even after retirement.