Former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Peter Rufai has died at the age of 61.
Rufai passed away on Thursday morning, July 3, following a prolonged illness, according to confirmation by a top Lagos State Government official and the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF)
The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner had been away from the public eye in recent months due to health issues.
Nicknamed “Dodomayana”, Rufai was widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in Nigerian football history.
He made history as Nigeria’s first goalkeeper to play professional football in Europe and was the national team’s first-choice shot-stopper during the country’s golden football era in the 1990s.
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Rufai’s international career included appearances at two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998) and multiple AFCON tournaments, most notably the victorious 1994 edition in Tunisia.
🇳🇬🕊️ Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana.
We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion.
Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.
Rest well, Peter Rufai. 💚#SuperEagles #AFCON pic.twitter.com/xMDApRotVR
— The NFF 🇳🇬 (@thenff) July 3, 2025
He began his club career at Stationery Stores FC before moving abroad, where he played in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain over a career that spanned more than two decades.
Beyond his on-field heroics, Rufai was celebrated for his leadership, discipline, and role in mentoring the next generation of Nigerian goalkeepers.
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His death comes on the same day the football world was hit by another tragedy, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain earlier on Thursday, alongside his brother.
