NFF Technical Director Augustine Eguavoen has criticised the treatment of Late Peter Rufai saying the country has failed to properly recognise those who sacrificed for the national team.
Rufai, widely known as “Dodo Mayana”, died in July at the age of 61. He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the country’s victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and also featured at their maiden FIFA World Cup later that year in the United States.
Eguavoen, who was teammate of the late Rufai and part of Nigeria’s squad that won the 1994 African Nations Cup and qualified for the country’s first World Cup.
Former Super Eagles Coach Augustine Eguavoen. Photo Credit: The Athletic Images
Speaking to News Central after the burial of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai in Lagos, Eguavoen said:
“I don’t think we’ve done enough. I don’t care what anybody says. A lot of people have gone, who have put their lives on the line to represent Nigeria.
Peter Rufai is too big for a name that the government and those in charge won’t just come and take over this burial.He is a household name, a big name. It is so sad.”
Late Peter Rufai in action for the Super Eagles. Photo Credit: Getty Images
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He recalled the sacrifices made by players during international tournaments, highlighting the risks and injuries endured while representing Nigeria.
“The difference between sportsmen and military people is they are gone. We see this mark here. It was blood all over my face, but thank God it didn’t. I could have been blind. Aloy Agu lost his teeth.
It was the same attitude when Late Keshi was buried many years ago. I don’t think we’ve done enough.”
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Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West, who also spoke at Rufai’s burial, echoed Eguavoen’s concerns, condemning the neglect of former players and their families.
“What kind of nation is this? Do we have a football federation or just an association? Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit him within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” West said.
“I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Thompson Oliha, all treated this way. It is grieving.”
