Nigerian football is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated goalkeepers, Peter Rufai, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 61. Known for his agility and leadership, Rufai—fondly nicknamed “Dodo Mayana”—died in Lagos following a brief illness. His death was confirmed by former midfielder Waidi Akanni, who disclosed that his body had been taken to a hospital in Lagos.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) paid tribute to the late icon, describing him as “a giant of Nigerian football.” In a message shared on X, the NFF wrote, “Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai. Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well.”
Reactions poured in from all corners of the football community. Segun Odegbami, a former Eagles captain, expressed shock at Rufai’s sudden passing despite being aware of his recent health struggles. “I know he’s been ill and that he was in the hospital for a while,” Odegbami said. “Now, I am at a loss and need to find out what has happened now.”
Etim Esin, another ex-teammate from the 1990s, was visibly shaken. “Oh oh God! Dodo Mayana is dead. This is a great loss. We played together; I can’t imagine he’s gone, this is so sad. My condolence to his family and may his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Former national team goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba also lamented the loss. “It’s really sad because he was someone I looked up to as a goalkeeper. It is a great honour to have been called an ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper alongside someone like that. May God bless his soul,” he remarked.
Tributes extended beyond former players. Current Super Eagles captain and Kano Pillars forward, Ahmed Musa, described Rufai as a “true giant” of Nigerian football. “Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage… Though you’ve left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy,” Musa wrote in a heartfelt message.
Remo Stars, reigning champions of the Nigeria Premier Football League, joined the growing list of mourners. In a statement, the club said, “Everyone at Remo Stars is deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Nigerian football community during this difficult time.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also expressed sorrow over the death of the sports legend. “His death is a profound loss to the global football community… Peter Rufai’s remarkable contributions to the beautiful game will always be remembered, and he will be sorely missed,” Atiku stated.
Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai debuted for Nigeria in 1981 and featured prominently in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, culminating in Nigeria’s 1994 triumph in Tunisia. He was also in goal for Nigeria during their historic runs to the Round of 16 in both the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups.
Beyond his international achievements, Rufai had an impressive club career in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal. After retirement, he remained committed to football development, mentoring young talents and briefly serving as coordinator for Nigeria’s U-23 team.
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