President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
Gatekeepers News reports that Tinubu described the deceased as a national hero who etched his name in gold in the history of Nigerian and African football.
In a statement on June 3, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised Rufai, aka “Dodomayana”, for his outstanding contributions to the beautiful game.
Tinubu lauded Rufai’s patriotic contributions to Nigerian football, recalling his pivotal role in the Super Eagles’ historic triumph at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and Nigeria’s debut FIFA World Cup appearance at USA ’94. He also noted Rufai’s presence in the squad during the 1998 World Cup in France.
The President said Peter Rufai would be remembered as one of those patriotic sportsmen who wrote their names in gold in the sporting annals of Nigeria and the African continent.
Highlighting his early career, Tinubu noted that Rufai began playing professionally with Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1980 before going on to represent clubs in Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands—becoming one of Nigeria’s pioneer professional footballers abroad and paving the way for future generations.
After retiring from football, Rufai, a prince of the royal family in Idimu, Lagos, founded the Staruf Football Academy, where he dedicated himself to mentoring and developing young talent in the sport.
President Tinubu prayed for the peaceful repose of Rufai’s soul and comfort for all who mourn him.
