FORMER Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, is dead, News Point Nigeria gathered.
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 its X handle on Thursday.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well, Peter Rufai.”
The legendary shot stopper died on Thursday after an illness. Nicknamed Dodomayana, 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, and represented the national team 65 times.
Rufai made history when he scored for the Super Eagles, netting in Nigeria’s 6–0 win against Ethiopia in the 1993 AFCON qualifiers.
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.
His quick reflexes and acrobatic saves earned him the nickname “Dodo Mayana.”
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.
