One of the late Peter Rufai’s Super Eagles teammates, Mutiu Adepoju, has paid tribute to the iconic goalkeeper who passed away on Thursday at age 61.
Similarly, Mr Sani Toro, a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Football Association, also offered condolences over the death of the international goalkeeping legend.
Both Adepoju and Toro shared their thoughts in separate interviews with on Thursday.
Adepoju described Rufai’s death as a painful loss, saying he was one of the longest-serving goalkeepers in the Super Eagles.
“It is a sad development that a former Super Eagles colleague is gone. I’ve not felt good since hearing about his death this afternoon.
“Late Rufai was a pleasant colleague, though our senior. He was already in the team before I joined the national squad.
“He was widely respected in the team. He taught us unity and team spirit and guided us when I newly joined the Super Eagles.
“He was also a jovial person, very enjoyable to be around whenever we were on the pitch or during camp,” Adepoju said.
Speaking on Rufai’s health, Adepoju said there was no prior report indicating he was unwell.
“I didn’t know he was sick. I tried calling him three months ago, but he didn’t answer. I later reached out to a relative who said he was fine. I later heard he had been ill and hospitalised.
“Perhaps the family wanted to keep it private. We must respect that. I honestly don’t know what the illness was,” Adepoju said.
On his part, Toro described Rufai as a reliable and disciplined individual, both on and off the pitch.
“Peter Rufai was dependable and committed, representing Nigeria at the 1990 AFCON in Algeria and the 1994 tournament in Tunisia.
“He also played in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. He was a complete gentleman. I offer my heartfelt condolences,” Toro said.
Rufai, fondly called ‘Dodo Mayana’, began his football career at Stationery Stores of Lagos between 1980 and 1984.
He also played for K.S.C. Lokeren in Belgium, and later moved to Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands.
The goalkeeper featured for S.C. Farense in Portugal, Hércules CF and Deportivo La Coruña in Spain, and later for Vicente FC in Portugal.
Rufai’s senior national team career spanned eight years, from 1990 to 1998, during which he earned 65 international caps.
He represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, as well as several African Cup of Nations tournaments.
Notably, Rufai was also a Lagos Prince, respected for his calm demeanour both on and off the pitch.
Siasia mourns Rufai, urges government support
Similarly, former Super Eagles player and coach, Samson Siasia, has expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of his former teammate, Peter Rufai, aged 61.
Siasia, who shared a room with Rufai during the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., told NAN on Thursday in Lagos that it was shocking.
“I was not aware he was ill, and none of the national teammates I know mentioned anything about it. It is terrible news that another colleague has died, just months after Christian Chukwu’s passing.
“The problem with Nigerians is that we value the dead more than the living, especially when it comes to financial support.
“When ex-internationals are alive, nobody cares. We risked our lives for the country,” he said.
Siasia also told NAN: “During the 1994 World Cup, I shared a room with Rufai, so I knew him well. This loss is painful for us and Nigeria.
“The government must do something for ex-internationals. Many cannot afford treatment when they fall ill.
“Those who brought joy to this country deserve support. We must remember we will all grow old too. Those who made Nigeria proud should not be left to suffer. Help should come while they live.”
Siasia urged football authorities to implement a reward system for ex-players, similar to what exists in the United Kingdom.
“In England, former national team players receive £5,000 weekly, not monthly. Why can’t we adopt that? We borrow other good practices from abroad, this should be one of them.
“I appeal to President Bola Tinubu, a known sports lover, to rally stakeholders to support ex-internationals. I believe he will respond.”
