BENJAMIN OMOIKE
LAGOS, Nigeria — Family, friends, and former teammates of late Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai gathered at Ikoyi Cemetery on Friday to pay their final respects, nearly two months after the football legend passed away at age 61 following a prolonged illness.
Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and widely regarded as one of the nation’s finest shot-stoppers. His death has sparked renewed criticism of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), as well as the Federal and Lagos State governments, for their alleged failure to support the late goalkeeper’s family or contribute to his burial expenses.
Speaking at the funeral, former Super Eagles defender Taribo West expressed outrage at what he described as systemic neglect of Nigerian football heroes.
“What kind of nation is this?” he asked. “With the examples we’ve seen — Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Shofoluwe, and now Rufai — I would never advise my son to play for this country.”
West accused the NFF and relevant government bodies of shirking responsibility and leaving the financial burden of the burial to Rufai’s family and friends.
“It’s disheartening,” he said. “The family had to beg for contributions. I felt in my spirit that there’s nothing worth putting your life on the line for anymore.”
Overcome with emotion, West abandoned the interview before completing his remarks.
Also paying tribute was former Stationery Stores player Taiwo Afinnih, who attended the same secondary school as Rufai. He described Rufai as a disciplined and humble sportsman.
“He never argued with anyone,” Afinnih recalled. “Back then, every young footballer dreamed of scoring against him — he was that good, even as a teenager.”
Rufai’s legacy as a football ambassador, gentleman, and national hero continues to resonate with those who knew him — but his death has once again reignited calls for better welfare, recognition, and support for Nigeria’s retired athletes.
