Peter Rufai, a legendary former goalkeeper for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has passed away. He was 61 years old.
Fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” Rufai reportedly died on Thursday morning after battling a long-term illness, according to a report by Radio Nigeria.
The official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account of the Super Eagles confirmed his death, posting:
“🇳🇬🕊️ Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana.
We mourn the loss of iconic Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, a titan of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON winner.
Your legacy remains strong, both on and off the pitch.
Rest in peace, Peter Rufai. 💚”
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers, Rufai enjoyed a professional career that spanned over 20 years. He played club football in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
He also proudly represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and multiple Africa Cup of Nations competitions.
His death comes just hours after the tragic news of Portuguese and Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, who both lost their lives in a car crash in Spain.
