By Francis Ajuonuma
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have expressed shock over the passing of ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, as a great loss to Nigeria, especially football fans.
“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,”NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said Peter Rufai, fondly called Dodomayana, is a legend who wore the Green-White-Green with passion and pride.
He said: “The death of Peter Rufai, is a painful loss to our country, Lagos State and Nigeria. The country has lost a legend and national icon. He was one of the best Nigerian goalkeepers in football history.
“Peter Rufai served Nigeria passionately, winning many laurels for the country in international competitions. He represented Nigeria as a first-choice goalkeeper at two FIFA World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998 and helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I offer my heartfelt condolences to Nigerians and Lagosians in particular, especially those with fond memories of Dodomayana of the famous Stationery Stores Football Club. Peter Rufai was a good ambassador of our dear State and Nigeria. His death is a great loss to us.
“I am saddened by his death and will be sorely missed. I pray to God for eternal peace for the late Peter Rufai. May God grant the family, friends and football fans the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Reports said the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks, before giving up the ghost at a Lagos hospital at about 6am yesterday.
Former Nigeria international midfielder Waidi Akanni confirmed that the body of one of Nigeria football’s true heroes had been deposited at a Lagos hospital.
Rufai made his debut for the senior national team; then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981, and 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 also kept goal for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions), and dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players.
He also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time.
Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, Rufai 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 professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
