Esther Salifu
Nigerian football was plunged into grief on Thursday as former Super Eagles goalkeeper and 1994 AFCON champion Peter Rufai died in Lagos at age 61, following a brief illness.
Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” was a pivotal figure in Nigerian football. He earned 65 caps for the national team and was instrumental in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory. He also represented Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, helping the team reach the Round of 16 in both tournaments.
Tributes have poured in from across the country as President Bola Tinubu described Rufai as “one of those patriotic sportsmen who wrote their names in gold in the sporting annals of Nigeria and the African continent.”
The Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called his death a “profound loss to the global football community,” adding that Rufai’s contributions to the game will always be remembered. Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa expressed his sorrow, stating, “Fly high, DODO MAYANA the nation mourns a hero.”
The Nigeria Football Federation also paid tribute, stating, “Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion.”
Beyond his international achievements, Rufai had a successful club career in Europe, playing for teams in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. He was also known for his commitment to nurturing young talent through his goalkeeping academy in Spain.
