Peter Rufai, the legendary goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, has passed away

Peter Rufai, a former first-choice goalie for the Super Eagles, passed away.

Rufai, the son of a traditional king from Lagos, passed on Thursday morning following a protracted illness, according to Radio Nigeria.

The news of Rufai’s passing shocked the Nigerian football world and beyond, despite the fact that the family has not yet released an official statement. Tributes are starting to flood in for the legendary goalie who stood firm between the posts for the Super Eagles.

A key player in Nigeria’s heyday of football was Rufai.

He played for Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups, the USA in 1994 and the France in 1998, and was the starting goalie for the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory.

Rufai was one of Nigeria’s most renowned goalkeepers and was renowned for his personality, leadership, and quick reflexes. He won over 60 caps for the national team.

In addition to his heroics for his country, he played for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain throughout his prosperous club career in Europe.

Through his Staruf Academy in Lagos, he continued to be involved in youth mentoring and football development after retiring.

Rufai, who was known by the nickname Dodomayana, a reference to his royal ancestry as the son of a traditional ruler, was respected for his professionalism, discipline, and support of education among aspiring sportsmen.

The family will provide more information on the funeral plans in due time.