Green Eagles Goal Keeper dies of Brain Tumor

Best Ogedegbe, former Green Eagle number one goal keeper was diagnosed of brain tumor and bid adieu to the world on September 28, 2009.

Nigeria’s football community thrown into remembrance following the death of Best Anthony Ogedegbe, one of the nation’s goal keepers at the 1980 African Cup of Nations which Nigeria hosted and won. It was the first time the country won the esteemed football showpiece.

In a condolence visit to his family, the Oyo states commissioner for sports, Joe Makanjuola, on behalf of the Oyo Government expressed grief saying his death was the last thing the nation’s soccer family was expecting at the moment.

Ogedegbe, who played a major role in Nigeria’s moment of splendor with his outstanding vision, courage and charm in all of the Green Eagles’ games, died at the age of 55, due to the problems which take place from an eye surgery at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan.

Best Ogedegbe, a native of Effurun in Delta State, was born on December 4, 1954 and was brought up in Lagos where he attended Eko Boys High School, Adelabu Memorial and Ibadan Grammar Schools. He had said: “I attended three secondary schools because my dad was a civil servant who was normally transferred from one place to the other.”

He took his work sincerely and also very friendly. The entire Green Eagle team is depressing about his death and also prayed that God will give his family the courage to bear the loss.

“Nigeria will miss his wealth of knowledge because he exhibited lots of experience in the area of Goal Keeping, which I feel would still have been useful for the country”, Stanley Eguma who worked with Ogedegbe last season.

Nigerians from all across the country paid homage to the late soccer star. He did a lot for the country including winning the first continental cup for the country. He would be deeply missed.

In reality Ogedegbe’s end will be felt in Nigeria’s sport circle, particularly in the game of football.