Chijioke Gabriel
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and Nigerian football icon, Peter Rufai, widely known as Dodomayana, has passed away.
Rufai, aged 61, reportedly died on Thursday morning after a prolonged illness. While the family is yet to issue an official statement, a senior official in the Lagos State Government has confirmed the tragic news.
Peter Rufai was one of Nigeria’s most revered goalkeepers, famously guarding the posts for the national team during the golden era of the 1990s. He was part of the squad that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups — USA 1994 and France 1998.
A trailblazer in many ways, Rufai played club football in Europe with stints in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, where he featured for clubs like Deportivo La Coruña. Known for his charisma, leadership, and acrobatic saves, he left a lasting legacy both on and off the pitch.
Tributes have begun to pour in from fans, teammates, and football stakeholders across the country and beyond.
Further details, including funeral arrangements, are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
