The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says it is shocked by the death of Peter Rufai, the country’s 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup first-choice goalkeeper, saying it was unaware he was ill.
Rufai died in Lagos on Thursday due to an undisclosed illness that kept him out of the public attention for some time.
In a statement issued to mourn Rufai’s demise, Mohammad Sanusi, the NFF general secretary, expressed shock over the death of the sport legend.
“This is really, really shocking, Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill,” the statement reads.
“We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”
Sanusi noted that Rufai made his debut for then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981 and won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994.
“He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships,” he added.
“The charismatic and disciplined goalkeeper also kept goal for Nigeria in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions) and dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players. He also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time.
“Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, Rufai was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981.
“He also played professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.”
