The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai had been battling an illness for several weeks before his death on Thursday at the age of 61.
In a statement mourning the loss of the football legend, the NFF said Rufai died in Lagos around 6 a.m. on Thursday and that his remains have been taken to a morgue.
Describing him as both “charismatic and disciplined,” the NFF praised Rufai for devoting his post-playing career to nurturing and mentoring aspiring footballers.
“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,” the federation noted.
“He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.”
Peter Rufai plays for 17 years
Rufai, who earned over 60 caps for Nigeria during a 17-year international career, was a central figure in one of the nation’s most celebrated football generations.
His death adds to the growing list of late members from Nigeria’s victorious 1994 AFCON squad, which also includes Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha, Uche Okafor, Rashidi Yekini, and Stephen Keshi.
