The Nigerian football community has been thrown into a state of mourning again after a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, passed away at 61.
Known as “Dodo Mayana,” Rufai was said to have breathed his last after battling with a serious illness.
His passing was confirmed in a statement issued by Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles. The Super Eagles described Rufai as a towering figure in Nigerian football history whose contributions would never be forgotten.
“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,” the statement reads.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Peter Rufai, born on August 24, 1963, is renowned for his commanding presence and acrobatic saves during a golden era of the Super Eagles.
He started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions. He moved to Benin in 1986, with AS Dragons FC de l’Ouémé.
At a more professional level, Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen and K.S.K. Beveren.
In the 1993–94 season, he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th in the Eredivisie.
In 1994, Rufai started a Portuguese adventure with S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches, qualifying for the UEFA Cup for the first time.
With 65 caps for Nigeria, Rufai was part of the outstanding performers in the Super Eagles’ 1994 AFCON triumph in Tunisia and played an important role in Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup appearance in 1994, followed by another in 1998.
His demise comes hours after Liverpool forward Diogo Jota passed away in a tragic car accident on Wednesday.
