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Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free 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:
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Peter Rufai dead at 61: Former World Cup star who captained his country against England dies after long illness
AFRICAN football has been plunged into mourning after the death of Nigeria World Cup star Peter Rufai. The keeper, who won 65 Super Eagles caps, helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. Advertisement 3 Peter Rufai was the captain of Nigeria when they played England at the 1994 World Cup Credit: Getty 3 He is widely regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time Credit: Alamy 3 He spent most of his career playing in Europe Credit: AP:Associated Press Rufai played at the World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998 - and captained Nigeria in their But he passed away at a Lagos hospital on Thursday, aged 61, following a long illness. Nicknamed Dodo Mayana, he played for top-flight clubs across Europe. Spaniards Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS Rufai joined the select club of goalkeepers to have scored an international goal when converting a penalty in normal time against Ethiopia in 1993. The son of a tribal king, he passed up the chance to succeed to the throne when his father died in 1999. Rufai had run a goalkeeping academy in Spain after hanging up his boots . The Nigerian FA announced: "Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Former England and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson arrives at Wimbledon "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." Rufai died on the same day the world of football was mourning Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain. Jota was on his way to catch a ferry back to the UK when the Advertisement
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Peter Rufai dead at 61: Former World Cup star who captained his country against England dies after long illness
The keeper won 65 caps for his country LEGEND FALLS Peter Rufai dead at 61: Former World Cup star who captained his country against England dies after long illness Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AFRICAN football has been plunged into mourning after the death of Nigeria World Cup star Peter Rufai. The keeper, who won 65 Super Eagles caps, helped his country win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Peter Rufai was the captain of Nigeria when they played England at the 1994 World Cup Credit: Getty 3 He is widely regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time Credit: Alamy 3 He spent most of his career playing in Europe Credit: AP:Associated Press Rufai played at the World Cup finals in 1994 and 1998 - and captained Nigeria in their 1-0 loss to England at Wembley in 1994. But he passed away at a Lagos hospital on Thursday, aged 61, following a long illness. Nicknamed Dodo Mayana, he played for top-flight clubs across Europe. Spaniards Deportivo La Coruna and Hercules, Portuguese sides Farense and Gil Vicente, Dutch outfit GA Eagles, as well as Belgians Lokeren and Beveren, all signed the Lagos-born ace. Rufai joined the select club of goalkeepers to have scored an international goal when converting a penalty in normal time against Ethiopia in 1993. The son of a tribal king, he passed up the chance to succeed to the throne when his father died in 1999. Rufai had run a goalkeeping academy in Spain after hanging up his boots. The Nigerian FA announced: "Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. Former England and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson arrives at Wimbledon "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." Rufai died on the same day the world of football was mourning Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain. Jota was on his way to catch a ferry back to the UK when the tyre on his Lamborghini blew out and the car hurtled off the road, catching fire.
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies aged 61 - Africa
Former Nigeria international goalkeeper Peter Rufai has died aged 61 following an illness, the national football federation said on Thursday. Popularly known as Dodomayana, Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria and featured at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also was part of the Super Eagles squad when Nigeria won a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Tunisia in 1994, beating Zambia 2-1. "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 (NFF) said in post on social platform X. "Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond." In a statement the NFF said Rufai had "died in Lagos following a period of illness". NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi, said Rufai's death was "really shocking". Rufai played for several Nigerian clubs before he moved to play overseas in Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Find more details on group standings, match schedules, and competition statistics (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai dies aged 61
FORMER Nigeria international goalkeeper Peter Rufai has died aged 61 following an illness, the national football federation said on Thursday. Popularly known as Dodomayana, Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria and featured at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. He also was part of the Super Eagles squad when Nigeria won a second Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Tunisia in 1994, beating Zambia 2-1. '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 (NFF) said in post on social platform X. 'Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.' In a statement the NFF said Rufai had 'died in Lagos following a period of illness'. NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi, said Rufai's death was 'really shocking'. Rufai played for several Nigerian clubs before he moved to play overseas in Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
