The Nigerian football community has been thrown into mourning following the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper and 1994 AFCON winner, Peter Rufai, fondly known as Dodo Mayana.
He died in Lagos in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 61 after a brief illness.
Former Nigerian international Waidi Akanni confirmed that Rufai’s body has been deposited in a Lagos hospital.
In a heartfelt tribute on social media platform X, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described Rufai as “a giant of Nigerian football” and “one of the country’s most iconic players.”
“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai. Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well,” the NFF wrote.
Reactions have continued to pour in from teammates and admirers of the legendary shot-stopper.
Veteran footballer and former Super Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, expressed shock at the news.
Also, he noted that although he was aware Peter Rufai had been ill for some time, the news of his death still came as a painful blow.
“I know he’s been ill and that he was in the hospital for a while. Now, I am at a loss and need to find out what has happened now,” Odegbami told our correspondent.
Similarly, former Nigeria international and teammate Etim Esin was devastated.
“Oh oh God! Dodo Mayana is dead. This is a great loss. We played together; I can’t imagine he’s gone. This is so sad. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”
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Another former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, also shared his sadness over the passing of a man he described as a legend and role model to many in Nigerian football.