It was another sad news today in the world of sports following the death of former Nigerian Super Eagles Keeper Peter Rufai, who died on Thursday after a protracted illness at the age of 61.
Known as Dodomayana, Rufai remains one of the longest-serving goalkeepers in the Super Eagles.
His death was confirmed by both the Nigeria Football Federation and his close friend Waidi Akanni, a former footballer and Lagos FA Chairman.
Rufai represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments in 1984, 1988, and 1994, playing a pivotal role in the country’s golden football era.
The NFF paid tribute to him on social media, calling him “a giant of Nigerian football” whose “legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”
Peter Rufai’s death is coming just a few hours after the football world was hit with the death of Liverpool forward Diego Jota, who died in a car crash alongside his brother
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described his death as shocking.
He wrote on his Twitter page, “It is with deep sorrow that I mourn the passing of our legendary national team goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana. His death is a profound loss to the global football community.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and the Nigerian football community. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Peter Rufai’s remarkable contributions to the beautiful game will always be remembered, and he will be sorely missed”.
