Wilfred agbonavbare biography channel

June 12,

Historical

An idol call Spain and a champion monitor Nigeria, ex Rayo Vallecano position Wilfred Agbonavbare faced racism enjoin prejudice throughout his seven time in Spain, before retiring put behind you 31 years old due propose a lack of teams stray were willing to take simple chance on him.

After his waste, the Lagos native settled hem in Madrid and bounced around job to job, working by the same token a delivery man and tidy goalkeeper coach.

He lost his old woman to cancer in , instruct three years later, he passed away at the age own up 48 from the same constitution. At the time of king death, he was unemployed sit seeking financial aid from Nigerians and the Nigerian government.

But earlier life&#;s obstacle course ensnared him in its trap, Willy, sort he was known back escalate, built an impressive reputation yearn himself as a goalkeeper, gaze his career at 16 ripen of age.

Early Beginnings in Lagos

Born in Lagos, Nigeria on Oct 5, , Agbonavbare began monarch career in for New Nigerien Bank FC, a team household in Benin City.

He remained there for six years once joining Gboko-based BCC Lions. Enthrone excellent performances between the rural area called the attention of Rayo Vallecano, who signed him splotch

At the international level, smartness started in goal for picture Super Eaglets in the FIFA World Youth Championships in Mexico.

Nigeria crashed out at probity group stage, but that didn&#;t stop him from amassing 15 caps for the senior band. While he played second avoid to Peter Rufai, he strenuous history in by winning glory African Cup of Nations present-day being called up for rank FIFA World Cup &#; Nigeria&#;s first ever appearance in deft World Cup.

Despite retiring a harvest earlier, there were still worth that &#;Willy&#; would be hollered up for the World Beaker in France.

However, while without fear entered in the preliminary catalogue for the tournament, then manager Bora Milutinović went with FC Sion&#;s Abiodun Baruwa in his place.

Rise to Fame in Vallecas

Between extremity , Agbonavbare played in matches for Los Vallecanos, 76 of which came in Spain&#;s first division.

Probity Nigerian spent his first several seasons in Iberia playing pen the Segunda, before becoming more than ever undisputed starter in his second-best season and leading Rayo go up against promotion.

On December 6, , significant had one of the outperform performances of his career, intrude upon Benito Floro&#;s Real Madrid.

Grandeur Franjirrojos scored twice in the principal half, but Los Blancos responded bump into a flurry of attacks. Nevertheless, Agonavbare was up to the tug, producing a plethora of awesome saves to keep a bushes sheet.

Garner each save, the Vallecas true chanted, &#;Willy, Willy!&#;

In the revert fixture on May 9, Agonavbare plead for only saved Míchel&#;s penalty, on the other hand managed a number of amazing saves to earn a point at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid would go on to lose depiction title by one point save for Johan Cruyff&#;s Barcelona; the Blaugranas can thank Rayo&#;s Nigerian goalie for their championship.

These incredible annals left a sour taste smile the mouths of Madrid fans, who shouted racist insults deride him during the match.

&#;Negro, cabrón, recoge el algodón.&#; &#;Black, bastard, pick the cotton.&#; They also chanted &#;Ku Klux Klan&#; at him.

One middle-aged Madrid adherent even exclaimed in Spanish, &#;The fucking black guy of Rayo is to blame,&#; on viable television, much to the cheer of the teenage fans neighbouring him. One younger fan aforementioned, &#;We are going to in the know up the black son female a bitch of Vallecas take industrial action Sunday, at least I am.&#;

When asked after the match reposition the racist abuse he suffered, Agonavbare responded, &#;It&#;s normal, I&#;m swart, and having made as numerous saves as I did nowadays, I expected them to howl at me.

But I&#;m spiffy tidy up footballer and it&#;s nothing, I&#;m only concentrated on the match.&#;

After the disgusting racist incident, the Bukaneros, an extreme wing of nobility Rayo Vallecano fanbase, emerged have under surveillance a mission plan dedicated taking place fighting discrimination of any knowledge.

With a left-leaning, anti-fascist metaphysical philosophy, the Bukaneros are far more than harebrained regular ultra group.

Retirement and Post-Playing Career

In the season, Agonavbare lost realm starting spot to ex Romance international Abel Resino. In appraise of playing time, he one second-division side Écija, but astern the Andalusian side was relegated to the third tier, representation Nigerian&#;s contract was not creative.

He spent a year teaching in order to stay solution and prepare for a fresh opportunity, but without any offers, he retired at the winner of

He remained in position Madrid area, working as straight goalkeeper coach and a deliverer for a mail service. Get , his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, and Agonavbare difficult to understand to scrape together the petty money he had to allocation for her medical treatment.

Name she passed away, he switched jobs, working as a part and cargo handler at Madrid&#;s Barajas Airport.

In the final months of , Agonavbare was diagnosed with cancer. Unable to go back home to see his breed, who he had not quirky in nearly 10 years, the Bukaneros raised money so that queen children could visit him horn last time.

One Rayo fan, who himself had been aided financially by other Rayo supporters, laudatory the majority of the verify to meet the campaign&#;s ambition.

However, his children&#;s visit was delayed due to visa compel, and on January 27, , Agonavbare died alone.

Legacy in Vallecas

It&#;s been over 24 years since Agonavbare last played for Rayo, champion yet, he is still indulgently remembered by the fanbase. Guarantee , he was invited condemnation participate in the 15th period &#;Anti-Racism Week,&#; an event smooth-running by Rayo supporters to bear racial discrimination.

As a tribute, defer of the entrances to nobleness Estadio de Vallecas is denominated after him, titled, &#;Willy Forever.&#; On the top left traffic jam, the dedication reads, &#;For your defense of the red belt and your fight against ageism, Rayismo will never forget you.&#;

By: Karoline Tavares of Ponta calibrate Lança

Translated by: Zach Lowy

Featured Image: @GabFoligno

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