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Nigeria’s Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai Is Dead.
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Rufai won the 1994 AFCON and played in two World Cups.
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His death comes shortly after Diogo Jota’s tragic passing.
Nigerian football has been thrown into mourning following the death of Super Eagles goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai.
Rufai, fondly known as ‘Dodo Mayana’, passed away on Thursday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 61 years old.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that his death was confirmed by the official Super Eagles 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) handle, which posted a heartfelt tribute:
“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana.
We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion.
Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well, Peter Rufai.”
Peter Rufai was widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers and a key figure in the country’s football history.
Throughout his professional career, which spanned over two decades, Rufai played club football in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. He was known for his commanding presence in goal and his exceptional reflexes.
Rufai represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups and featured in multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, most notably helping Nigeria win the 1994 AFCON title.
His death comes just hours after the football world was shaken by the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his younger brother André Silva, who died in a car accident in Spain.
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