On Thursday evening, the Nigerian football community was saddened by the news of the passing of Peter Rufai, the nation’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups. He died in Lagos after battling an illness. “This is extremely surprising,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in Abuja. Is Peter Rufai deceased? What took place? I am confused. We were completely unaware of his illness. “We sincerely ask the Almighty God to provide him with eternal peace and to offer solace to all his loved ones, along with the whole Nigeria football community.” According to reports, the vibrant goalkeeper, who was intermittently part of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been unwell for several weeks before passing away at a Lagos hospital around 6 am on Thursday. Additionally, it was noted that a former Super Eagles goalkeeper has died at the age of 61. Waidi Akanni, a former Nigerian international midfielder, has announced that the remains of a celebrated figure in Nigerian football have been taken to a hospital in Lagos. Rufai first played for the Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981 and secured Africa Cup of Nations silver medals in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria achieved victory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994.
