Nigeria’s football community is mourning the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, fondly called Dodomayana.
Rufai died on Thursday in Lagos at the age of 61, after a prolonged illness, according to family sources.
He captained Nigeria and featured in two FIFA World Cups — USA 1994 and France 1998 — becoming one of the country’s most celebrated goalkeepers.
Rufai earned 65 caps for the national team and played a key role in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory in Tunisia.
He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play professionally in Europe, with spells in Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Former international and former Super Eagles coach, Kadiri Ikhana, described Rufai’s death as a painful loss.
“Rufai was a dedicated sportsman who gave his all to the growth and development of football in Nigeria,” Ikhana said.
He praised Rufai’s impact at both national and club levels, especially during his time with Stationery Stores of Lagos in his early playing days.
“He was a great goalkeeper whose contributions to the Super Eagles were immense and unforgettable.
“It’s really sad to lose another legend, coming shortly after the demise of Christian Chukwu. May Rufai’s soul rest in perfect peace,” Ikhana said.
He added that Rufai’s legacy as a leader, mentor and icon will live on in the heart of Nigerian football.
Beyond football, Rufai was admired for his humility and unwavering passion for developing young talents through grassroots initiatives.
He founded the Staruf Football Academy and launched the “Dodomayana Soccerthon”, which discovered and mentored future stars across the country.
His efforts inspired young Nigerians to combine sports and education, shaping the next generation of footballers and leaders.
Meanwhile, Nigeria Football Federation President, Ibrahim Gusau, said Rufai was “a true Nigerian legend who inspired generations of players and fans.”
Born in Lagos in 1963 to a royal family in Idimu, Rufai chose football over kingship, chasing his dreams on the pitch.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon by the family.
Reports say the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks.
This was before giving up the ghost at a Lagos hospital about 6 a.m. on Thursday.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said Nigeria football firmament turned pale on Thursday evening following Rufai’s death.
The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi was quoted as saying that the death came to the Federation as a rude shock, adding that the NFF wasn’t aware he had been ill.
“This is really, really shocking.
“Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill.
“We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones, as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”
Olajire stated that former Nigeria international midfielder Waidi Akanni had confirmed that the body of Rufai had been deposited at a Lagos hospital.
Rufai made his debut for the then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981.
He won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994.
He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.
The charismatic and disciplined goalkeeper was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions).
Rufai dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players and also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time.
Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, he was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981.
He also played professional football in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
