Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, popularly known as “Dodomayana,” has reportedly passed away at the age of 61.
According to online sources, Rufai died in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, after a prolonged illness that had kept him out of the public eye for several years. Although news of his death has circulated widely, the family is yet to release an official statement confirming the development.
Rufai, widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced, had a stellar football career that spanned over two decades. He was a key figure in the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and participated in two FIFA World Cup tournaments — USA ’94 and France ’98.
At club level, Rufai had an extensive career abroad, playing professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and notably in Spain, where he featured for Deportivo La Coruña.
Tributes have begun to pour in from fans and football stakeholders, many of whom remember him for his leadership, agility, and his crucial role during Nigeria’s golden era in international football.
