Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has died.
Waidi Akanni, a former teammate and associate, confirmed the legendary goalkeeper’s death to TheCable on Thursday.
Rufai, affectionately nicknamed Dodo Mayana, died at 61 after a reported battle with long-term illness.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria also announced the demise of the former goalkeeper on the team’s official X account.
“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the post reads.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”
Rufai is regarded as one of the best football goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced. He was the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He also represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Rufai had over 60 caps for the Super Eagles over the course of a decade with the team
