Tinubu mourns Peter Rufai, pays tribute to Nigerian goalkeeping legend

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has joined millions of Nigerians in mourning the death of iconic Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who passed away in Lagos at the age of 61.

In a heartfelt condolence message, President Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the man fondly known as “Dodomayana” by fans across the country.

The President extended his sympathies to the Rufai family, friends, former teammates, and the entire Nigerian football community, acknowledging the pain of losing such a towering figure in the nation’s sporting history.

“I recall with fond memories the heroic contributions of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia as the first-choice goalkeeper, followed up with Nigeria’s equally epoch-making, first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition, dubbed USA ’94.

” Rufai was also a strong member of the team at the subsequent edition of the competition in France in 1998.

“Having started his career with Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1980, Rufai was one of the earliest footballers in Nigeria to go professional, playing in many European countries including Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, bringing honour to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria,” President Tinubu says.

“After he retired from active football, Peter, a Prince of the Royal House in Idimu, Lagos, set up the Staruf Football Academy, where he continued to inspire, mentor and nurture young footballers”.

President Tinubu prays for comfort for all who mourn Rufai’s loss and for the repose of Rufai’s soul.