Former Super Eagles captain and legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai has passed away at the age of 61. He died early Thursday morning in a Lagos hospital after a brief illness.
The news was confirmed by his close friend and former teammate Waidi Akanni, who told ESPN: “Yes, our friend ‘Dodo Mayana’ died this morning and he has been moved to the mortuary as we speak.”
Rufai, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers, made 65 international appearances for the Super Eagles between 1981 and 1998. He was the country’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup tournaments and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s victory at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, expressed his sorrow over the loss: “This is a huge loss for Nigerian football. I saw him about a week ago and he was looking lean. When I asked him if all was well, he said he was okay.”
NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi also reacted with shock, saying: “We did not even know that he had been ill. We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”
Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai’s international career began in December 1981 and spanned 17 years. He was renowned for his agility, composure, and leadership on the field. He made iconic penalty saves in key matches, including the 1988 and 1994 AFCON semifinals, helping Nigeria secure spots in both finals.
He captained Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, leading the Super Eagles to the Round of 16 in their debut appearance. He repeated that feat at France ’98, again reaching the knockout stage.
Rufai also competed at the 1980 and 1988 Olympic Games and had a distinguished club career that spanned two decades, playing for teams across Europe. His career included stints at Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium, Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, Farense in Portugal, and Hércules and Deportivo La Coruña in Spain.
He began his club career as a teenager with Lagos-based Stationery Stores, leading them to the 1981 African Cup Winners’ Cup final. His heroics, including crucial penalty saves, were instrumental in the club’s historic continental run.
Following his retirement from professional football, Rufai ran a goalkeeping academy in Nigeria and Spain, nurturing the next generation of talent.
His death marks another painful loss from Nigeria’s iconic USA ’94 squad. He becomes the sixth player from that historic team to pass away, following Uche Okafor, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, and Wilfred Agbonavbare.
Peter Rufai leaves behind a powerful legacy in African football and will be remembered not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his contributions to the growth of the game in Nigeria.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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