Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” was laid to rest yesterday at Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos, following a solemn funeral service conducted by the Catholic Church of Visitation in Festac Town.
Rufai, who passed away on 3rd July after a brief illness, was honoured by family, friends, and football dignitaries who gathered to pay their final respects to one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football legends.
Rufai began his football journey in Nigeria with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions before moving to Dragons de l’Ouémé in the Benin Republic. His professional career spanned several countries, including Belgium (Lokeren, Beveren), the Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles), Portugal (Farense, Gil Vicente), and Spain (Hércules, Deportivo La Coruña). He earned 65 caps for the Nigerian national team between 1983 and 1998, serving as first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. Rufai played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory in Tunisia and famously scored a penalty in a 6–0 win against Ethiopia during a 1993 AFCON qualifier.
Among those present at the interment were Rufai’s children, siblings, extended family, former Nigerian coach Fanny Amun, and ex-international Aloy Agu.
Speaking after the burial, Rufai’s daughter, Confidence Rufai, delivered an emotional tribute. “So much has been said. I have repeated myself over and over again.
There will never be enough words to say goodbye,” she expressed. “You can never find the right words to express how you feel towards your parents, how they have been to you, or what you will miss because these people have been in your life for as long as you can remember.”
She reflected on the depth of love she came to understand after becoming a parent herself. “When my mother passed, I understood more about what love was all about. Before losing someone or before becoming a parent, you think, ‘Oh, I love my mum, I love my dad.’ But the truth is, you will never truly know how much you love them until you become a parent.”
Confidence described her father as a sweet, disciplined, and deeply private man. “Even though he was blessed with stardom and extraordinary class, he believed that what happens with you should stay with you. He respected that privacy immensely.”
Dressed in a goalkeeper’s jersey, she explained the significance of her attire. “That’s the kind of man my dad was. You wake up in the morning, you must have a bath, dress well—not just in your slippers. You should be properly dressed down to your shoes, wearing beautiful perfumes, and he was always keen on that.”
She also recalled her mother’s similar values, saying, “Even when she was ill, she would insist we looked our best going to the hospital. We were all raised in the Lord. They were just lovely people.”
Confidence concluded with heartfelt memories of her father’s influence. “When I remember my tough side, I think of him. When I think of my meticulous side, I think of him. There will be countless memories. When I discipline my kids, I remember my dad and think, ‘Okay, calm down. Your father is in this house now. Let the children be.’ He will be remembered for so many things.”
Her husband also expressed gratitude: “Thank you, Peter Rufai, for allowing me to marry your daughter. It was a privilege knowing you. Thank you for the life you lived and the impact you made.”
Meanwhile, former Super Eagles midfielder Waidi Akani has dismissed reports suggesting that the government failed to support the burial of the late Nigerian football legend.
Rufai’s former teammate, Taribo West, had launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the government, condemning their failure to properly honour Rufai at his funeral, describing the situation as madness. However, speaking at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Friday, Akani clarified that the Lagos State government played a significant role in ensuring the burial was successful.
Akani, who was actively involved in the burial arrangements, stated that ex-internationals rallied together to honour Rufai’s legacy. “As someone involved in this process, what we did as ex-players was to gather a few friends within the football fraternity to make financial contributions, which we did,” Akani explained. “I am personally aware that the Lagos State Government did fantastically. They provided substantial financial support to ensure the burial was successful.”
He noted that the funds raised were handed directly to Rufai’s sister, Dele Rufai, who could attest to the government’s involvement and the support received from the football community. Akani also praised former Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo for his swift and generous response when contacted. “What surprised me was Odion Ighalo. I sent him a message, and he responded positively. This is how we should support our legends in Nigeria,” he added.
Akani emphasised the importance of unity and self-reliance among ex-footballers, urging them to take responsibility for supporting one another rather than casting blame. He described the valedictory match played in Rufai’s honour as a touching tribute, noting the presence of the Supporters Club and the camaraderie among former players. “This is our industry. We have to support our own. Unfortunately, people always blame others. But we, as ex-players, need to set that aside and do our part. That is what we did this morning, and it was fantastic; we enjoyed it,” he said.
While acknowledging that unity among ex-internationals is still a work in progress, Akani expressed hope that moments like Rufai’s burial would continue to bring them together. “We ex-internationals are united to some extent, but I believe we can become more united. I am sure there will be something that brings us together. It was Peter Rufai who united us all today,” he concluded.
