The Nigerian football community, and indeed the world, continue to mourn the passing of an icon, Peter Rufai, a 61-year-old, who died on Thursday.
Known affectionately as “Dodo Mayana” for his incredible agility and fearless saves between the posts, Rufai was far more than just a gifted goalkeeper.
His impact stretched beyond the pitch, encompassing a life rich with unexpected turns, pioneering achievements, and a deep commitment to the future of Nigerian football.
In this report, Punch Online delves “beyond the gloves” to explore 10 key facts that truly define Peter Rufai.
These insights offer a deeper understanding of the man, the legend, and the lasting impact he leaves on Nigerian sports and beyond.
The 10 facts about the late legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper:
- Peter Rufai was born on August 24, 1963, in Oshodi, Lagos, into a royal family. His father was a tribal king in Idimu, Lagos State. Despite expectations to inherit the throne, Rufai famously declined royal succession to pursue his passion for football.
- Rufai’s professional career began locally with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions before he ventured abroad. He played for clubs in Benin (Dragons de l’Ouémé), Belgium (Lokeren, Beveren), the Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles), Portugal (Farense, Gil Vicente), and Spain (Hércules, Deportivo La Coruña), gaining valuable international experience.
- During the 1994–95 season, Rufai was instrumental in helping Portuguese club SC Farense secure their first-ever UEFA Cup qualification. He kept an impressive record, conceding just 38 goals in 34 matches that season.
- Rufai earned 65 international caps for Nigeria and was the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. He also played a key role in Nigeria’s victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Tunisia.
- In a rare feat for a goalkeeper, Rufai scored a penalty for Nigeria in a 6–0 victory over Ethiopia during the 1993 AFCON qualifiers. It was his only international goal and remains one of the most memorable moments of his career.
- Fans fondly nicknamed Rufai “Dodo Mayana” due to his quick reflexes and acrobatic saves. The nickname became synonymous with his dominant presence between the posts and remains part of his legacy.
- After retiring from professional football, Rufai returned to the classroom in 2023, enrolling at the National Institute for Sports in Lagos to obtain formal coaching qualifications.
It was part of his broader effort to give back to the game through training and mentoring.
- Committed to youth development, Rufai established the Staruf Football Academy in Lagos. He is also a vocal advocate for balancing academics and sports and has encouraged Nigerian parents to support their children’s football dreams alongside education.
- Rufai has credited his 20-year-long professional career to unwavering discipline, focus, and the drive to always give more than 100%. These values, he says, helped him succeed in multiple countries and under intense pressure.
- Despite his stellar career, the 4–1 loss to Denmark in the 1998 World Cup Round of 16 was one of the low points for Rufai.
He described it as the most painful match of his career but maintained that the defeat was due to a collective failure, not individual mistakes.
