The Spanish club Rayo Vallecano has moved to immortalise the recently deceased former Nigeria goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare.
According to reports, Wilfred, who died on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, in a Spanish hospital, has been buried in Spain. The funeral was attended by Rayo Vallecano president, Raúl Martín Presa, and both active and retired players, along with his children, Wilson and Wintia Agbonavbare.
After a meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, the late goalkeeper’s former club decided to honour the Nigerian for his contribution to the club. A statement released by the club confirmed the development:
“The Board of Directors of the Club has decided unanimously to keep alive the memory of Wilfred and therefore will call the Gate 1 Vallecas Stadium, Gate Wilfred Agbonavbare. The club managers also thanked everyone who showed love towards Agbonavbare while he battled cancer on behalf of the late goalkeeper’s family.”
The directors added that they were touched by the countless messages of affection that have been coming to the club on a sad day for everyone. Wilfred Agbonavbare, who was in the Super Eagles squad which triumphed at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, as well as the USA ’94 World Cup team, represented the Spanish club from 1990 to 1996 as first choice goalkeeper.
In his second season with the club based on the outskirts of Madrid, Agbonavbare appeared in all 38 league games, putting in a staggering 3,332 minutes of action with only 27 goals conceded, the second-best tally in the competition that season, as the team finished second and returned to La Liga after a 2-year absence. He contributed 31 matches in goal to another top flight promotion in 1995.
In a gesture that would resonate with the shot stopper’s fans throughout the world, Agbonavbare’s former team and opposing side, Atlético Madrid, displayed a banner reading: ‘Fuerza Wilfred’ (You Can Do It Wilfred). This was done in a league match at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on January 24, just three days before the former footballer died of cancer at 48.
It will be recalled that Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has expressed shock at the news of the death of his ex-teammate.
According to reports, Wilfred, who died on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, in a Spanish hospital, has been buried in Spain. The funeral was attended by Rayo Vallecano president, Raúl Martín Presa, and both active and retired players, along with his children, Wilson and Wintia Agbonavbare.
After a meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, the late goalkeeper’s former club decided to honour the Nigerian for his contribution to the club. A statement released by the club confirmed the development:
“The Board of Directors of the Club has decided unanimously to keep alive the memory of Wilfred and therefore will call the Gate 1 Vallecas Stadium, Gate Wilfred Agbonavbare. The club managers also thanked everyone who showed love towards Agbonavbare while he battled cancer on behalf of the late goalkeeper’s family.”
The directors added that they were touched by the countless messages of affection that have been coming to the club on a sad day for everyone. Wilfred Agbonavbare, who was in the Super Eagles squad which triumphed at the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, as well as the USA ’94 World Cup team, represented the Spanish club from 1990 to 1996 as first choice goalkeeper.
In his second season with the club based on the outskirts of Madrid, Agbonavbare appeared in all 38 league games, putting in a staggering 3,332 minutes of action with only 27 goals conceded, the second-best tally in the competition that season, as the team finished second and returned to La Liga after a 2-year absence. He contributed 31 matches in goal to another top flight promotion in 1995.
In a gesture that would resonate with the shot stopper’s fans throughout the world, Agbonavbare’s former team and opposing side, Atlético Madrid, displayed a banner reading: ‘Fuerza Wilfred’ (You Can Do It Wilfred). This was done in a league match at the Vicente Calderón Stadium on January 24, just three days before the former footballer died of cancer at 48.
It will be recalled that Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has expressed shock at the news of the death of his ex-teammate.
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