By Eric Elezuo
Like a typical end to a drama act, the curtain fell on one of Nigeria’s influential goalkeepers, Peter Rufai, known widely as Dodo Mayana, on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Reports have it that Peter Rufai had battled a protracted ailment before succumbing on that fateful Thursday, becoming the sixth of his contemporaries among the 1994 Super Eagles to depart the earth.
The others are Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and Uche Okafor.
He was one of the few players that were both a Green Eagle and a Super Eagle.
Peter Rufai missed an opportunity to become a local king of his Idimu domain just like his father, who held the position passed away in 1998. He rejected the offer, and concentrated on his footballing career, a vocation he loved passionately.
Born in Lagos on August 24, 1963, Rufai started his career in Lagos, playing for Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions before moving to Benin Republic in 1986 where he played for AS Dragons FC de l’Ouémé.His sojourn to Benin opened up more international opportunities a she pursued a more a professional level-career, spending six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen and K.S.K. Bevere. In the 1993–94 season he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th in the Eredivisie.In 1994, Rufai moved to Portugal, and starred for S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side, conceding 38 goals in 34 matches, and qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever. It was reported that his solid performances earned him a transfer to the La Liga, though he featured for lowly Hércules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation.
However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruña the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo’o, for two seasons – this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home win against CD Tenerife (1–0) as the Cameroonian was suspended. He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente FC, also being second-choice.
Rufai returned to Spain in 2003, settling in the country and opening a goalkeeper’s school.
Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 as their first-choice goalkeeper and also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
He was married to stella Rufai and had 3 children: first son Tunde, first daughter TUtu and another daughter Abiodun. Rufai’s also had other children out of wedlock; one of them, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, having tried for Sunshine Stars F.C. in the Nigeria Premier League.
As his family plans to release his burial schedule, condolences have continued to be received from across football world, especially among his former teammates.
“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.”
Nwankwo Kanu wrote: “We lost an African legend Peter Rufai. May his soul rest well,”
“May your spirit continue to inspire all of us and future generations.”
Also, Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa, noted that “Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage.
“Though you’ve left us, your legacy soars higher than any trophy. Fly high, Dodo Mayana.”
But in a statement issued by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President paid glowing tribute to the football icon, fondly remembered by fans as “Dodomayana”.
“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 in Tunisia as the first-choice goalkeeper,” President Tinubu said.
“He followed up with Nigeria’s equally epoch-making, first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition, dubbed USA ’94.”
Tinubu said the late footballer’s legacy would live on in the hearts of Nigerians and football lovers worldwide.
The President also highlighted Rufai’s involvement in the 1998 World Cup in France and noted his pioneering role in professionalising Nigerian football, having plied his trade in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
“Having started his career with Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1980, Rufai was one of the earliest footballers in Nigeria to go professional, playing in many European countries… bringing honour to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria,” he said.
Beyond his footballing achievements, Rufai, a prince of the royal family in Idimu, Lagos, was lauded for his efforts in mentoring the next generation through his Staruf Football Academy. “He continued to inspire, mentor and nurture young footballers,” President Tinubu said.
Expressing shock at Dodo Mayana’s death, another teammate, Mutiu Adepoju said, “We have lost a colleague, a brother, and an African legend, Peter Rufai, our ‘Dodo Mayana’.
“I’m still in shock, and it’s incredibly hard to process this painful news. I pray that your soul rest in perfect peace, and that your family finds comfort in knowing how deeply you were loved, respected, and admired.
“Journey well and may your legacy continue to inspire generations to come. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.”
We join the entire nation, and the footballing world to wish Dodo Mayana a smooth passage to the great beyond.
