Tragic Loss: Nigerian football mourns Peter Rufai’s passing at 61

By Oluwadamilola Olaleye

Nigerian football was thrown into mourning on Thursday following the death of legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who passed away in Lagos at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness.

The former Super Eagles captain and iconic shot-stopper, who famously guarded Nigeria’s goal at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, reportedly died around 6 a.m. at a Lagos hospital.

His passing was confirmed by former teammate and ex-midfielder, Waidi Akanni.

“This is really, really shocking,” said Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

“Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill. We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and to comfort his loved ones, as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”

Rufai’s international journey began in December 1981, when he made his debut for the then-Green Eagles in a friendly.

Over a remarkable 17-year career, he became a towering figure in Nigerian football, earning silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and 1988 before playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic AFCON victory in 1994.

Commanding between the posts, Rufai was revered not only for his reflexes and composure under pressure, but also for his leadership and charisma—qualities that endeared him to fans and teammates alike.

Following his retirement, Rufai continued to serve Nigerian football, mentoring young goalkeepers and later taking up the role of coordinator for the national U-23 team.

His post-playing career was defined by a passion for youth development and unwavering commitment to the sport he loved.

His passing marks the end of an era—a profound loss for Nigerian football as Rufai was more than an athlete; he was a national icon, a symbol of dedication, humility, and excellence.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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