Peter Rufai, the former captain of the Super Eagles and World Cup goalie, passed away in a hospital in Lagos.
He was 61 years old, and according to sources, he had been sick for a few weeks before passing away on Thursday at around 6 a.m. (West Africa Standard Time).
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Waidi Akanni, a close friend and former international, confirmed Rufai’s passing to ESPN.
“Yes, our friend ‘Dodo Mayana’ died this morning, and he has been moved to the mortuary as we speak,” Akanni stated to ESPN.
“This is a huge loss for Nigerian football,” stated Ibrahim Gusau, head of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). He looked slender when I last saw him, which was approximately a week ago. I asked him how he was doing, and he replied that he was OK.
Dr Mohammed Sanusi, NFF general secretary, expressed surprise in Abuja: “I am perplexed.” We had no idea he had been ill. We ardently pray to the Almighty God to console all of his loved ones, as well as the entire Nigerian football family.
Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai represented Nigeria for 17 years, appearing in the 1994 and 1998 World Cup competitions after making his international debut in December 1981. He won 65 caps as a disciplined, agile, and slightly flamboyant shot-stopper, helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia after finishing second in 1984 and 1988. He was the first-choice custodian in all three AFCON tournaments.
Nigerian Football Legend Peter Rufai Dies at 61 after a brief illness, leaving a lasting legacy in the Super Eagles and Nigerian football history.
