Rufai—affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana”—captured the hearts of Nigerian fans with his towering presence and acrobatic saves. With over 60 caps to his name, he was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper from the late 1980s through the late 1990s.
A Storied Career
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International Triumphs: Key figure in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and pivotal in the nation's maiden FIFA World Cup journeys in 1994 and 1998.
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Professional Clubs: Played across Europe in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain with clubs like Lokeren, Beveren, Farense, Hércules, Deportivo La Coruña, and Gil Vicente.
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Legacy Moments: One of the few goalkeepers to score internationally—he netted a penalty in a 6–0 win over Ethiopia during the 1994 AFCON qualifiers.
Reaction & Tributes
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep sorrow, noting that the football world was unaware of his illness until the shocking news on Thursday.
Former teammate Waidi Akanni confirmed the sad news, while forward Ahmed Musa posted on X:
“Can’t believe I’m typing this – a post to bid farewell to a true giant of Nigerian football, Peter Rufai... Fly high, DODOMAYANA”.
Even former vice president Atiku Abubakar took to X, calling his death “a profound loss to the global football community”.
The Final Whistle
Born on August 24, 1963, in Lagos, Rufai rose from local football at Stationery Stores FC to become a global presence. After retiring in 2000, he devoted himself to mentoring young talents through initiatives like the Staruf Academy.
Rufai’s death marks the end of an era for Nigerian goalkeeping greatness. His remarkable career and dedication to football development leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
The football world expresses its deepest condolences to the Rufai family, his teammates, and fans across Nigeria.
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