A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai is dead.
The legendary shot stopper died on Thursday after an illness. He was 61 years old.
“We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the Super Eagles posted on their X handle on Thursday.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well, Peter Rufai,” they added.
His quick reflexes and acrobatic saves earned him the nickname “Dodo Mayana.”
Rufai was part of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He also featured for the team in the 1994 World Cup, Nigeria’s maiden appearance in the competition.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s greatest goalkeepers, he represented the national team 65 times.
Rufai made history when he scored for the Super Eagles in a 6–0 win against Ethiopia in 1993.
The goalkeeper played for clubs in Nigeria and abroad, including Dragons de l’Ouémé of Benin Republic; Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium; Go Ahead Eagles of the Netherlands; Farense and Gil Vicente in Portugal.
The legendary goalkeeper’s quest for education led him to enroll at the National Institute for Sports in Lagos, where he got formal coaching training.
