FORMER Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai has died, according to reports.
Radio Nigeria reported today that the legendary shot-stopper passed away in the morning after battling a protracted illness.
Rufai, who was a key member of Nigeria’s golden generation of football stars, was aged 61.
He earned 65 caps for Nigeria, winning the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles, as well as silver in the tournament in 1984 and 1988.
He also represented the West African giants at two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 as first-choice goalkeeper, with the Super Eagles reaching the second round both times.
Fondly nicknamed ‘Dodo Mayana’, Rufai was a charismatic figure and one of the best goalkeers in Nigerian history.
At club level, he kept goal for Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions in Nigeria before taking his game to Benin Republic with Dragons and then to Europe, where he starred for Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands and Deportivo La Coruna among others.
Rufai is the second Nigerian football legend to pass away in recent months following the loss of Christian Chukwu in April.