Former Nigerian international goalkeeper Peter Rufai has died at the age of 61 on Thursday.
Rufai, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers, passed away after a brief illness. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain limited, but tributes have begun to pour in from across the football world in honour of the late icon.
Born in Lagos in 1963, Rufai was a key figure in Nigeria’s golden generation, most notably as the starting goalkeeper during the Super Eagles’ triumphant 1994 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Tunisia.
hat same year, he was in goal as Nigeria made its historic debut at the FIFA World Cup in the United States, reaching the Round of 16 in an inspiring run that announced the team on the global stage.
Over the course of his international career, Rufai earned more than 60 caps for Nigeria and captained the team on several occasions. He was also part of the squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
At club level, Rufai enjoyed a long career in Europe, playing in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. His most notable spells came with Deportivo La Coruña and Hércules CF in Spain.
Nicknamed “Dodo Mayana,” Rufai was celebrated for his calm presence, sharp reflexes, and leadership on and off the pitch.
His death marks the loss of a national icon whose contributions to Nigerian football spanned more than a decade. He is survived by his wife and children.
