Nigeria’s iconic goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, fondly known as ‘Dodomayana’, has reportedly passed away at the age of 61. His death, which occurred on Thursday morning, 3rd June 2025, followed a prolonged illness that had kept him out of the public eye in recent months, according to Radio Nigeria.
Although his immediate family has yet to release an official statement, news of his passing has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community and beyond. Tributes have poured in for the charismatic shot-stopper, celebrated for his heroics with the Super Eagles and his contributions to both local and international clubs.
Born on 24th August 1963 in Lagos, Rufai began his football journey with the renowned Lagos-based Stationery Stores. He also played for Femo Scorpions of Eruwa and Dragon FC of Benin Republic before making the leap to Europe. There, he featured for several clubs including Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium, Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, Farense and Gil Vicente in Portugal, and Spanish sides Hercules and Deportivo La Coruña.
Rufai is best remembered for his exploits with the Nigerian national team. He was the first-choice goalkeeper during Nigeria’s victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign and represented the country at two FIFA World Cups—USA ’94 and France ’98. Known for his sharp reflexes, composure, and leadership, he made his international debut in a friendly against Egypt on 20th February 1983, a match that ended 1-1. He went on to earn 62 caps, with his final appearance coming in Nigeria’s 4-1 defeat to Denmark at the 1998 World Cup.
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Beyond his playing days, Rufai remained committed to football development. He established the Staruf Football Academy in Lagos, mentoring young talent and also served as a coordinator for Nigeria’s U23 national team.
Reacting to the news, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described Rufai’s death as a “rude shock” and mourned the loss of a truly flamboyant and inspirational figure in Nigerian football history.
“This is really, really shocking,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said in Abuja via an official release last night. “Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill.
“We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”
Reports said the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks, before giving up the ghost at a Lagos hospital at about 6am on Thursday.
According to the NFF, another former Nigeria international Waidi Akanni confirmed that the body of one of Nigeria football’s true heroes had been deposited at a Lagos hospital.
Apart from the 1994 AFCON triumph, Rufai also won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988.He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.
