By Boluwatife Kehinde
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter “Dodo Mayana” Rufai, was laid to rest on Friday at the Ikoyi Cemetery.
Rufai, who died on Thursday, 3 July, at the age of 61 after a brief illness in a Lagos hospital, was honoured by family, colleagues and friends who gathered for his funeral.
The ceremony, however, drew criticism towards the Federal and Lagos State Governments, as well as the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), over their lack of support in organising the burial.
Colleagues and friends paid glowing tributes, describing Rufai as a principled and dedicated individual whose absence will be deeply felt.
READ ALSO: Peter Rufai was ill for weeks before passing – NFF
During his illustrious career, Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria and featured in three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, where he proved decisive in three semi-final penalty shootouts.
He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and played a pivotal role in leading the Super Eagles to their historic triumph at the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia.
