Nigeria has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away on July 4, 2025, at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness.
Rufai, fondly remembered as “Dodo Mayana,” earned 65 caps for Nigeria between 1983 and 1998. He played a pivotal role in the country’s historic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Tunisia and also captained the Super Eagles during the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA, where Nigeria made a memorable debut on the global stage.
Known for his sharp reflexes, leadership, and consistency between the sticks, Rufai had a storied club career in Europe, with spells in Belgium, the Netherlands, and notably in Spain, where he featured for Hércules CF and Deportivo La Coruña.
After retiring, he remained active in football development, running a goalkeeping academy in Spain dedicated to grooming future talents. His passion for the sport and dedication to mentoring young players earned him deep respect both at home and abroad.
In a statement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described Rufai as “a giant of Nigerian football” and “an inspirational figure whose legacy will never be forgotten.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from former teammates, fans, and football bodies across the continent, celebrating Rufai’s contributions to Nigerian football and the larger African game.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family in the coming days.
