By Sport Analyst
Emmanuel Afonja
Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the passing of legendary goalkeeper and former Super Eagles captain, Peter Rufai, who died at the age of 61. Fondly known as “Dodo Mayana”, Rufai was one of the most iconic figures in Nigerian football history, revered not just for his incredible goalkeeping skills but also for his leadership and sportsmanship on and off the pitch.
Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai began his professional football journey in Nigeria before moving abroad, where he enjoyed a successful club career in Europe, particularly in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain, playing for clubs such as Lokeren, Beveren, and Deportivo La Coruña. However, it was with the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, that Rufai made his most indelible mark.
Rufai was a key figure in the Super Eagles’ golden era of the 1990s, serving as the first-choice goalkeeper during some of Nigeria’s most historic football moments. He was between the sticks when Nigeria lifted the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia and played a critical role in Nigeria’s maiden FIFA World Cup appearance that same year in the United States. He also featured prominently in the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, further cementing his place as a national hero.
Throughout his international career, Rufai earned over 60 caps for the Super Eagles, bringing calmness, reflexes, and tactical intelligence to Nigeria’s goalpost. His performances won him admiration not just in Nigeria, but across the African continent.
Beyond the pitch, Peter Rufai was celebrated for his humility, discipline, and passion for developing youth football. In retirement, he remained actively involved in sports development and youth mentorship. He founded a goalkeeping academy and participated in numerous campaigns promoting sports as a tool for nation-building and youth empowerment.
Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with former teammates, football administrators, fans, and government officials expressing shock and sadness at the loss of a true legend. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described Rufai as “a towering figure in our football history whose contributions will never be forgotten.”
As Nigeria bids farewell to a national icon, the memory of Peter Rufai’s brilliance, dedication, and patriotism will live on. He stood tall between the goalposts and gave Nigerians countless moments of pride and joy. Dodo Mayana’s legacy is not only that of a goalkeeper but of a hero who gave his all for the beautiful game and the country he loved.
May his soul rest in peace.
