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The former midfielder of the stationery stores and the godfather of Peter Rufai Godwin Obiyan, have given up a moving tribute to the deceased legend of the Super Eagles, Peter Rufai, revealing intimate moments of his long -standing friendship and an emotional attempt of the pastor Tunde Bakare to save Rufai’s life.
In an exclusive of our correspondent in Lagos, Obiyan told his link as teammates between 1981 and 1984, describing Rufai not only as a companion player, but as a family.
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“It was heartbreaking when I heard the news. We were incredibly close. We did everything together, treated, we ate, we even slept in the other’s houses. On the game days in Onikan, all the children gathered in my apartment in a room. Cook and serve them. Peter was not just a teammate; he was a brother,” Obiyan said.
He also revealed that he was the best man at Rufai’s wedding, underlining the depth of his relationship.
“I played a key role in marrying his wife. I stopped by his side as his best man. That tells you how close we were.”
Obiyan then shared a moving account of how Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of the Church of the Global Community of Citadel, tried to save Rufai when it seemed bad during a private visit on a planned book release.
“Pastor Bakare saw him after the service and invited him to a private room. He felt that something was wrong and immediately arranged to take him to the hospital. The doctors worked on him for six or eight hours. That was the last thing we heard from Peter, his phone stopped sounding. No one could communicate with him after that day.”
When describing Rufai as deeply private, Obiyan said that the former goalkeeper rarely opened about his health or personal problems.
“I had a lot in silence. I was cheerful in public, always laughing, but never shared its problems. That was what it was.”
Peter Rufai, who died recently, is still one of Nigeria’s most famous goalkeepers.
Twice participant of the FIFA World Cup (1994 and 1998), captained the Super Eagles, and the only goalkeeper who scored in an open for the Super Eagles.
He left an indelible brand in Nigerian football with his heroic and special performances within the sticks.
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