Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai is dead. The 61-year-old football legend passed away on Thursday after a long battle with illness.
Popularly known as “Dodomayana,” Rufai was one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers and a respected figure in African football. His death has left fans, players, and sports lovers across the country in mourning.
Rufai had a long and successful football career that spanned over 20 years. He played professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. On the international stage, he represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cup tournaments and two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competitions.
He was best known for his time as Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper during the 1990s, including the famous 1994 AFCON victory and the country’s debut at the World Cup in the same year.
Rufai’s passing came on a tragic day for world football, as news also broke of the death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother in a car crash in Spain.
Peter Rufai’s legacy as a patriot and football hero will remain in the hearts of Nigerians. Tributes have begun pouring in from fans, former teammates, and officials across the football world.
