Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper and 1994 AFCON Champion Succumbs to Illness

Nigeria’s football community is in mourning following the death of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away early Thursday after a prolonged illness. The 61-year-old legend, affectionately called “Dodo Mayana,” had been out of the public eye for several years due to his health condition.

The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the news via the Super Eagles’ official social media page, paying tribute to the iconic shot-stopper: “Forever in our hearts… Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”

Rufai enjoyed a storied career, earning 65 caps for Nigeria and starring in two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998). He was instrumental in the Super Eagles’ 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and played for notable clubs including Lagos-based Stationery Stores and Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.

Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with former teammates and fans remembering Rufai for his commanding presence in goal and leadership during Nigeria’s golden era in the 1990s. His death comes just months after the Super Eagles’ 1994 AFCON-winning squad marked the tournament’s 30th anniversary.

The family is expected to release details about funeral arrangements in coming days. Rufai is survived by his wife and three children.