Nigerian football has been plunged into mourning following the death of Super Eagles legend and former national team goalkeeper, Peter Rufai.
Rufai, popularly known as “Dodo Mayana”, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, after battling a prolonged illness that had kept him out of the public eye for some time. The sad news was confirmed by BSNSports and later by Radio Nigeria.
Aged 61, Rufai was widely celebrated as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers. He earned 65 caps for the Super Eagles and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cup tournaments. He was also a key figure in Nigeria’s historic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph.
Rufai’s club career spanned across several countries. He began with Nigeria’s Stationery Stores before moving to Europe, where he featured for clubs including Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, among others.
His passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, with tributes already pouring in from fans, former teammates, and football authorities.
