UPDATED: Ex-Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai Is Dead
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A former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, is dead! He was 61 years old.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,\u201d the Super Eagles posted on its X handle on Thursday.<\/p>\n \u201cYour legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well, Peter Rufai.\u201d<\/p>\n The legendary shot stopper died on Thursday after an illness. Nicknamed Dodo Mayana, Rufai was part of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).<\/p>\n He also featured for the team in the 1994 World Cup, Nigeria\u2019s maiden appearance in the competition.\u00a0 Widely regarded as one of the country\u2019s greatest goalkeepers, and represented the national team 65 times.<\/p>\n Rufai made history when he scored for the Super Eagles, netting in Nigeria\u2019s 6\u20130 win against Ethiopia in the 1993 AFCON qualifiers.<\/p>\n The goalkeeper played for clubs in Nigeria and abroad, including Dragons de l\u2019Ou\u00e9m\u00e9 of Benin Republic; Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium; Go Ahead Eagles of the Netherlands; Farense and Gil Vicente in Portugal.<\/p>\n His quick reflexes and acrobatic saves earned him the nickname \u201cDodo Mayana.\u201d<\/p>\n The legendary goalkeeper\u2019s quest for education led him to enroll at the National Institute for Sports in Lagos, where he got formal coaching training.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family and the Nigerian\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/M8cUu7Ckfc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) July 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, tributes have quickly poured in over the ex-Super Eagles shot stopper\u2019s death.<\/p>\n A former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, was among the first to pay tribute to Rufai, describing his demise as a \u201cprofound loss\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHis 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,\u201d Atiku wrote on his X handle.<\/p>\n \u201cPeter Rufai\u2019s remarkable contributions to the beautiful game will always be remembered, and he will be sorely missed.\u201d<\/p>\n Super Eagle\u2019s star, Ahmed Musa, also bid farewell to whom he said it \u201ca true giant of Nigerian football\u201d.<\/p>\n Cant believe im typing this \u2013 a post to bid farewell to a true giant of Nigerian football, Peter Rufai. Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage. \u26bd<\/p>\n May your spirit continue to inspire future generations of\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/8OeRwndUpX<\/a><\/p>\nTributes Pour In For \u2018A True Giant\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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