The Nigerian football community continues to mourn the passing of iconic Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who died in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness, Soccernet.ng reports.
Following the demise of Rufai, former Juventus and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Sunday Oliseh has penned an emotional tribute to his former teammate, where he described the late goalkeeper as a gigantic legend.
The former Super Eagles captain who shared the pitch and dressing room with Rufai during Nigeria’s golden era in the 1990s, took to social media to express his grief over the loss.
“Yesterday we lost a gigantic legend, my teammate, roommate and a friend, Peter Rufai. This has been deeply painful to digest and I slept badly! ‘Dodomayana,’ thanks for all the jokes, safes and advice. God bless. We miss you already. R.I.P bro,” Oliseh wrote.
Yesterday We lost a gigantic legend, my team mate,room mate and a friend, Peter Rufai. This has been deeply painful to digest and i slept badly! “Dodomayana” Thanks for all the jokes,safes and advice. God bless. we miss you already . R.I.P Bro pic.twitter.com/CKJsFt77HV
— Sunday Oliseh (@SundayOOliseh) July 4, 2025
Rufai, popularly known as “Dodo Mayana,” was a key figure in Nigeria’s triumph at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and featured as the first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups.
He earned 65 international caps and left a lasting legacy as one of the finest goalkeepers in Nigerian football history.
Rufai played for several clubs across Europe, including Lokeren and Beveren in Belgium, Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands, Farense and Gil Vicente in Portugal, and Spanish sides Hércules CF and Deportivo La Coruña.
Following his retirement, he settled in Spain, where he opened a goalkeeping academy to train the next generation.
The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, fans, and football authorities.