Rayo squad pay anniversary tribute to Wilfred Agbonavbare
The squad gathered at the entrance of the stadium that has been named after the Nigerian goalkeeper as fans lit candles to remember the former player.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of former Rayo Vallecano Nigerian goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare . 'Willy’s' former club Rayo Vallecano and members of the current squad (Cobeño, Tito, Nacho, Embarba, Quini and Jozabed) paid tribute as fans left bouquets and candles at gate of Rayo’s compact stadium that has been re-named the Wilfred Agbonavbare entrance as a tribute to the former Nigerian international. Rayo supporter consortium, Plataforma ADRV have also made a formal request on behalf of the club’s fans that a street in the district ofVallecas in south east of the city of Madrid be named after the fondly loved goalkeeper.
Wilfred passed away a year ago today after a long battle with cancer at 48 years of age. The Lagos born goalkeeper played for Rayo from 1990 through to 1996 and was hugely respected by the club’s fans. He subsequently moved to then second division side Écija for one season. He won 15 international caps with the 'Super Eagles' and was a member of the Nigerian team that were crowned champions of the 1994 African Cup of Nations. After his retirement from the game he continued to coach in Madrid as well as working at the Spanish capital’s Barajas airport.