How Peter Rufai inspired many young goalkeepers- Melai

Lobi Stars’ most experienced goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai, has said the outstanding skills and exemplary lifestyle of thek legendary Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, inspired many young Nigerians to take up goalkeeping roles. The iconic goalkeeper who was a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad and the Super Eagles team that debuted at the 1994 FIFA […]

Lobi Stars’ most experienced goalkeeper, Terkaa Melai, has said the outstanding skills and exemplary lifestyle of thek legendary Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, inspired many young Nigerians to take up goalkeeping roles.

The iconic goalkeeper who was a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad and the Super Eagles team that debuted at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA died recently at the age of 61.

As Nigerians continue to mourn the death of the man popularly called ‘Dodo Mayana’, Melai who is also a legend of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), said he had commiserated with the Nigeria football community and the family of the deceased over the unfortunate incident.

“The news of the untimely demise of the legendary Peter Rufai came to me as a rude shock. In my own little way, I tried to show my concern by writing on my Facebook page to condole with the football fraternity in Nigeria and the bereaved family, asking God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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“Indeed, I lack words to quantify Rufai’s contributions to football in Nigeria. He was an exceptional goalkeeper whose gentlemanly behaviour on and off the pitch inspired many of us to become goalkeepers.

“I remember in 1998 when I was still in primary school, I chose goalkeeping because I wanted to be like him. I wasn’t alone, as many of us at that time drew inspiration from him,” he said.

Melai, however, expressed disappointment that despite Rufai’s immense contributions to Nigerian football, like many of his contemporaries, he was abandoned the moment he retired.

“It is rather unfortunate that despite his numerous international accomplishments, Rufai received the same treatment that has become the lot of retired athletes in Nigeria.

“Some of us who are still kicking suffer a similar fate. We are hardly given what is due to us despite the contributions we have made to football, especially the NPFL,” said the former Niger Tornadoes keeper.

He concluded by calling on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Federal Government to immortalise Rufai in a way that will commensurate with his invaluable contributions to Nigerian football.

“Rufai is a legend who should not be forgotten. Authorities concerned must give him a befitting burial and immortalise him in a special way,” said the goalkeeper who once served as Lobi Stars penalty taker.