The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who passed away at the age of 61.
Known as “Dodo Mayana”, Rufai was one of Nigeria’s most respected players and a key member of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team.
The Super Eagles confirmed the sad news in a post shared on their official X (formerly Twitter) page on Thursday. The team described Rufai as a “giant of Nigerian football” and noted his lasting legacy in the sport.
“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the statement read.
Rufai’s death marks the end of an era for many Nigerian fans who remember his skillful goalkeeping during Nigeria’s golden generation.
He played a major role in securing Nigeria’s first-ever AFCON title in 1994 and represented the country in two FIFA World Cup tournaments — USA 1994 and France 1998.
Born in Lagos in 1963, Rufai made his international debut for the Super Eagles in 1983. Over the years, he earned over 60 caps for the national team and became one of the most trusted figures in goal for Nigeria during the 1990s.
Apart from his national success, Rufai had a long and successful club career. He played for clubs across Europe, including in Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Spain.
His time with Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga gained him further recognition and respect on the global stage.
