President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sadness over the death of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai who died at 61, on Thursday after a brief illness.
In a statement issued by the President’s Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President extended condolences to the Rufai family, friends, and the Nigerian football community.
The President praised Rufai’s lasting impact on Nigerian football, describing him as a legendary figure beloved by fans across the country who affectionately called him “Dodo Mayana.”
Tinubu lauded the ex- Super Eagles’s goalkeeper as a patriotic sportsman who carved his name in gold in Nigeria’s football history and across the African continent.
”I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the AFCON in Tunisia.
”He was the first-choice goalkeeper. He also followed up with Nigeria’s equally epoch-making, first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition, dubbed U.S.A ’94.”
”Rufai was also a strong member of the team at the subsequent edition of the competition in France in 1998.”
”Having started his career with Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1980, Rufai was one of the earliest footballers in Nigeria to go professional.
”He played in many European countries including Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, bringing honour to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
The President also acknowledged Rufai’s vital contributions to grassroots football and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of players in Nigeria.
”After he retired from active football, Peter, a Prince of the Royal House in Idimu, Lagos, set up the Staruf Football Academy, where he continued to inspire, mentor and nurture young footballers,” Tinubu said.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu described Rufai’s death as a great loss to Nigeria and a painful and huge blow to Nigerian football.
While condoling with Rufai’s family, friends, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the National Sports Commission, the Governor described Rufai as a football legend who proudly wore the Green-White-Green jersey.
“The death of Dodomayana, also known as Peter Rufai, is a painful loss to Lagos and Nigeria. Our country has lost a national icon and one of the finest goalkeepers in its football history.
“On behalf of Lagos State, I extend heartfelt condolences to Nigerians and Lagosians who remember him from Stationery Stores Football Club.
“I pray God grants the family, friends and fans the strength to bear this loss. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” Sanwo-Olu prayed.
Former Super Eagles player and coach, Samson Siasia, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of his former teammate, Peter Rufai.
Siasia, who shared a room with Rufai during the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that it was shocking.
“I was not aware he was ill, and none of the national teammates I know mentioned anything about it.
“It is terrible news that another colleague has died, just months after Christian Chukwu’s passing.
“The problem with Nigerians is that we value the dead more than the living, especially when it comes to financial support. When ex-internationals are alive, nobody cares. We risked our lives for the country.
“During the 1994 World Cup, I shared a room with Rufai, so I knew him well. This loss is painful for us and Nigeria. The government must do something for ex-internationals. Many cannot afford treatment when they fall ill.
“Those who brought joy to this country deserve support. We must remember we will all grow old too. Those who made Nigeria proud should not be left to suffer. Help should come while they live.”
Siasia urged football authorities to implement a reward system for ex-players, similar to what exists in the United Kingdom.
“In England, former national team players receive £5,000 weekly, not monthly. Why can’t we adopt that? We borrow other good practices from abroad, this should be one of them. I appeal to President Bola Tinubu, a known sports lover, to rally stakeholders to support ex-internationals. I believe he will respond.”
One of the late Peter Rufai’s Super Eagles teammates, Mutiu Adepoju and Mr Sani Toro, a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association, paid tributes to the iconic goalkeeper.
Adepoju described Rufai’s death as a painful loss, saying he was one of the longest-serving goalkeepers in the Super Eagles.
“It is a sad development that a former Super Eagles colleague is gone. I’ve not felt good since hearing about his death this afternoon.
“Late Rufai was a pleasant colleague, though our senior. He was already in the team before I joined the national squad.
“He was widely respected in the team. He taught us unity and team spirit and guided us when I newly joined the Super Eagles.
“He was also a jovial person, very enjoyable to be around whenever we were on the pitch or during camp,” Adepoju said.
Toro described Rufai as a reliable and disciplined individual, both on and off the pitch.
“Peter Rufai was dependable and committed, representing Nigeria at the 1990 AFCON in Algeria and the 1994 tournament in Tunisia.
“He also played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He was a complete gentleman. I offer my heartfelt condolences,” Toro said.
Ex-international and former Super Eagles coach, Kadiri Ikhana, described Rufai’s death as a painful loss.
“Rufai was a dedicated sportsman who gave his all to the growth and development of football in Nigeria,” Ikhana told NAN.
He praised Rufai’s impact at both national and club levels, especially during his time with Stationery Stores of Lagos in his early playing days.
“He was a great goalkeeper whose contributions to the Super Eagles were immense and unforgettable.
“It’s really sad to lose another legend, coming shortly after the demise of Christian Chukwu. May Rufai’s soul rest in perfect peace,” Ikhana said.
He added that Rufai’s legacy as a leader, mentor, and icon will live on in the heart of Nigerian football.
Rufai, fondly called ‘Dodo Mayana’, began his football career at Stationery Stores of Lagos between 1980 and 1984.
He also played for K.S.C. Lokeren in Belgium, and later moved to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.
The goalkeeper featured for S.C. Farense in Portugal, Hércules CF and Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, and later for Vicente FC in Portugal.
Rufai’s senior national team career spanned eight years, from 1990 to 1998, during which he earned 65 international caps.
He represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as several African Cup of Nations tournaments.
Notably, Rufai was also a Lagos Prince, respected for his calm demeanour both on and off the pitch.
