Just In: Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai Passes Away at …
BREAKING: Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter Rufai Passes Away at 61
Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Peter Rufai according to reports died at 61 years old. Eagles Sight News has gathered.
According to information gathered by Eagles Sight News from multiple sources close to the family, Rufai died after a prolonged illness, although the exact cause of death has not yet been publicly confirmed. His passing marks the end of an era for Nigerian football fans who remember him as one of the country’s most accomplished shot-stoppers.
Born on August 24, 1963, Rufai was fondly nicknamed “Dodo Mayana.” He carved out a reputation as a fearless and charismatic goalkeeper whose contributions were instrumental in Nigeria’s golden generation of football.
Rufai earned 65 international caps and played a pivotal role when the Super Eagles won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia—the country’s second continental title. He was also in goal during Nigeria’s historic first appearance at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States and again in the 1998 World Cup in France.
At the club level, Rufai’s career spanned several countries. He began his professional journey in Nigeria before moving abroad, playing for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. He notably had a successful spell with Deportivo La Coruña, where he became one of the first Nigerian goalkeepers to feature prominently in the Spanish league.
After retiring from professional football, Rufai remained dedicated to the sport. He founded a goalkeeping academy in Lagos, mentoring a new generation of Nigerian goalkeepers. He later settled in Spain, where he continued his coaching and development work.
Tributes have begun pouring in from former teammates, football administrators, and fans across the world. The Nigeria Football Federation expressed deep sadness, describing Rufai as “a legend who inspired millions and raised the profile of Nigerian football on the global stage.”
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
Rufai is survived by his wife and childrens.