Latest news with #DodoMayana
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies at 61
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, has died at the age of 61. The Nigerian Football Federation announced the death Thursday. Advertisement Rufai was widely regarded as one of the best African goalkeepers ever and had a 20-year playing career that included stints at clubs in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Nigerian federation wrote on X that the legacy of Rufai, whose nickname was Dodo Mayana, would live on 'between the sticks and beyond.' Local media said he had suffered from a brief, undisclosed illness. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also paid tribute to Rufai in a statement Friday. (asterisk)I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations," Tinubu said. Advertisement He praised Rufai for "bringing honor to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria.' Rufai was part of Nigeria's 1994 World Cup squad in the U.S. which helped put the country's football on the global map, alongside the late Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Uche Okafor, Wilfred Agbonavbare and Thompson Oliha. He also represented Nigeria at 1998 World Cup in France. He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to score a goal for his team internationally, in a 1993 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia. Rufai, the first Nigerian player to come from a royal family, had more than 60 caps for the Super Eagles. After retiring from professional football in 2000, he established Staruf Football Academy where he coached young players. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies at 61
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, has died at the age of 61. The Nigerian Football Federation announced the death Thursday. Rufai was widely regarded as one of the best African goalkeepers ever and had a 20-year playing career that included stints at clubs in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands. The Nigerian federation wrote on X that the legacy of Rufai, whose nickname was Dodo Mayana, would live on 'between the sticks and beyond.' Local media said he had suffered from a brief, undisclosed illness. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also paid tribute to Rufai in a statement Friday. (asterisk)I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations,' Tinubu said. He praised Rufai for 'bringing honor to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria.' Rufai was part of Nigeria's 1994 World Cup squad in the U.S. which helped put the country's football on the global map, alongside the late Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Uche Okafor, Wilfred Agbonavbare and Thompson Oliha. He also represented Nigeria at 1998 World Cup in France. He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to score a goal for his team internationally, in a 1993 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia. Rufai, the first Nigerian player to come from a royal family, had more than 60 caps for the Super Eagles. After retiring from professional football in 2000, he established Staruf Football Academy where he coached young players. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tributes paid after Nigeria keeper Rufai dies aged 61
Peter Rufai helped Nigeria reach the last 16 at the 1994 and 1998 editions of the Fifa World Cup [Getty Images] Peter Rufai has been hailed as a "giant of football" after the former Nigeria goalkeeper died aged 61 on Thursday following a prolonged illness. Affectionately known as Dodo Mayana, he helped the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and also represented his nation at the Fifa World Cup in 1994 and 1998. Advertisement Born in Lagos, Rufai enjoyed a stellar international career, earning 65 caps between 1983 and 1998. His safe hands, commanding presence and calm demeanour made him a stand-out performer for Nigeria's golden generation of the 1990s. "We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai - a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 Afcon champion," the Nigeria Football Federation posted on X. "Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond." Rufai's death marks yet another loss from Nigeria's celebrated 1994 squad, the team that not only conquered Africa but also announced the country's arrival on the global stage by reaching the last 16 on their World Cup debut in the United States. Advertisement He becomes the sixth member of the that side to pass away, following the late Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and Uche Okafor. 'Fly high Dodo Mayana' Rufai was in goal as Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 to win the Africa Cup of Nations title in 1994 [Getty Images] After starting his playing career locally with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions in Nigeria, Rufai went on to play professionally in Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. Known not just for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Rufai's dedication and professionalism inspired a generation of goalkeepers who followed in his footsteps. "We lost an African legend Peter Rufai. May his soul rest well," former Nigeria team-mate Kanu posted on social media. Advertisement "May your spirit continue to inspire all of us and future generations." Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa said that the "nation mourns a hero" following Rufai's death. "Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage," Musa said. "Though you've left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy. Fly high, Dodo Mayana."
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Tributes paid after Nigeria keeper Rufai dies aged 61
Peter Rufai has been hailed as a "giant of football" after the former Nigeria goalkeeper died aged 61 on Thursday following a prolonged known as Dodo Mayana, he helped the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994 and also represented his nation at the Fifa World Cup in 1994 and in Lagos, Rufai enjoyed a stellar international career, earning 65 caps between 1983 and safe hands, commanding presence and calm demeanour made him a stand-out performer for Nigeria's golden generation of the 1990s."We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai - a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 Afcon champion," the Nigeria Football Federation posted on X."Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond."Rufai's death marks yet another loss from Nigeria's celebrated 1994 squad, the team that not only conquered Africa but also announced the country's arrival on the global stage by reaching the last 16 on their World Cup debut in the United becomes the sixth member of the that side to pass away, following the late Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and Uche Okafor. 'Fly high Dodo Mayana' After starting his playing career locally with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions in Nigeria, Rufai went on to play professionally in Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and not just for his reflexes and shot-stopping abilities, Rufai's dedication and professionalism inspired a generation of goalkeepers who followed in his footsteps."We lost an African legend Peter Rufai. May his soul rest well," former Nigeria team-mate Kanu posted on social media."May your spirit continue to inspire all of us and future generations."Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa said that the "nation mourns a hero" following Rufai's death."Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage," Musa said."Though you've left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy. Fly high, Dodo Mayana."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Former Super Eagles goal keeper Peter Rufai don die
Former Nigeria Super Eagles Captain and Goal Keeper Peter Rufai don die. Super Eagles don confam am. Reports say di legend, Dodo Mayana as dem dey popularly call am, die on Thursday 3 July morning. Im death dey come afta di tori of di death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, wey die for car accident aged 28. We still dey update dis tori!
