Lagos — Super Eagles legends Peter Rufai and Christian Chukwu yesterday showered encomiums on the on the late Best Ogedegbe (MON) who died at the University College Hospital Ibadan Intensive Care Unit. The two former international stalwarts unanimously agreed Nigeria has lost in Ogedegbe, one of the finest ball-stoppers of all time.

Ogedegbe tragically bit the dust after failing to recover from coma, which he relapsed into after undergoing a corrective eye surgery, aged 55. Chukwu described Ogedegbe as a calm, classy and reliable goalkeeper while grieving the death of the ex International over the phone from his Enugu last night.

"We were both members of the class of 1980. Best was one of Nigeria's finest goalkeepers. He was smart and calm between the goalposts and was also very professional. The last time I saw him was in Taraba when he was on the bench as the keeper trainer for Dolphin while I was with Rangers International" Chukwu said.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos also yesterday, Rufai sent his condolences to the family of Ogedegbe saying he was sad to hear about the death of the man from whom he took over the baton of national team goalkeeping duty

"He was quite ahead of me in the national team pecking order. But at the same time he stood out for his composure and charisma. He had this ability to stop shot and instil fear in strikers" Rufai, who in Nigeria 1994 became the first Nigerian keeper to play at FIFA World Cup finals said.

According to the former Lokeren of Belgium keeper, Ogedegbe was nicknamed 'Dede' by his national team colleagues because he was found of teasing and goading attackers in the heat of action.

"I remember then during the era of Muda Lawal, Segun Odegbami, Christian Chukwu that we used to call Best "Dede. It was a tag that came with his ability to intimidate the opponent by daring him to shoot at goal. It was a psychological tool which he deployed to great efficiency." Rufai said.

Ogedegbe represented Nigeria at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow playing against Kuwait, Colombia and Czechoslovakia. He also had a brief stint as goalkeeper trainer with the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets.

He leaves Nigerians to memories of his fine artistry for the Eagles during their maiden Nations Cup conquest in Lagos in 1980 when he only conceded only one goal in five matches in Nigeria's march to victory.