Former Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper dies at 62 – Thage

By Daniel Peters

The former Nigeria Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, died. He was 62 years old.

Rufai, called Dodomayana with affection, died on Thursday morning after a prolonged illness.

Rufai was born on August 24, 1963 in Lagos.

He was a Nigerian professional footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted 20 years.

Rufai represented Nigeria in two cups in the world and like many tournaments of the African Nations Cup.

Born in Lagos, Rufai began his career in his country, playing with the Scorpions FC and Femo. He moved to Benin in 1986, with Like Dragons Fc de l’uémé.

At a more professional level, Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with Ksc Lokeren Oost-Vlaanden and Ksk Beveren, although it appeared sparingly. In the 1993-1994 season, he played 12 games for the Dutch neighbors, Eagles went on, which arrived in 12th place in Eredivisie.

In 1994, Rufai began a Portuguese adventure with SC Farese. In his first year, he was decisive because the Algarve team gave only 38 goals in 34 games, qualifying for the UEFA Cup for the first time ever.

His solid performances have gained a transfer to La Liga, but he fought to start Himili Hércules CF during his stay, in a possible relegation.

However, Rufai signed with Deportivo de la Coruña, who followed, supported another African, Jacques Songo’o, for two seasons – this included the maintenance of a clean sheet in a home victory in January 1998 against the CD Tenerife (1-0) while Cameroon was suspended.

He then returned to Portugal for a last year, with also modest Gil Vicente FC, being also the second choice.

Rufai returned to Spain in 2003, settling in the country and opening up a goalkeeper’s school.

Rufai gained 65 hats for Nigeria and represented the nation in two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 as their first choice goalkeeper and also helped the Super Eagles to win the 1994 African Nations Cup in Tunisia.

On July 24, 1993, during a qualifying match against Ethiopia, Rufai scored a penalty in a 6-0 home victory.

Rufai was the son of a tribal king in the Idimu region. At the beginning of 1998, when his father died, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but lowered the status for himself.

Rufai’s eldest son, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, after trying for Sunshine Stars FC in the Nigeria Premier League.

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