Tribute to Peter Jaja Rufai (Apina)

Our headmistress was the famous Mrs Adoki (of Enugu Street) and our Primary 6A class teacher, Mr Allison, who lived on Niger Street Opposite the No. 5 field.
Achese was the tallest in the class, but Peter was the biggest and strongest. He was gentle but firm, soft spoken, but you couldn’t miss him.

He always sat at the last seat in class. Our class enjoyed some immunity from punishment if Peter was involved in the altercation or noisemaking crime. Smaller ones like us ran to him for “protection.”

Apina (I pin am) was his nickname. He was my Opobo brother in class though I was very rascally, I could do no wrong so long as Peter was around. There was also Kodjo/Kofi, who was our second goalkeeper, but he stood no chance at goal if Peter was healthy enough to man the goalpost for the school team.

All through the years after primary school, Peter and I kept in touch. Early this year, I met him at the famous Skylyte Boutique Hotel, and as usual, he ended with ‘Greet madam, I go come house,’ a promise he never kept till his sudden demise.

The world calls him ‘Dodo Mayana,’ but to every Port Harcourt boy of our hood and time, he remains Apina.
Rest in peace, our legend.Peterside, Agbakurudike 1, wrote from Port Harcourt

Family, Nigerians mourn Rufai
The family of Peter Rufai has described the death of the legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper as an irreplaceable loss and expressed deep sorrow at the passing of their beloved father, brother and national icon.

In an official statement released on Thursday, the family paid tribute to the former Nigerian international, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the age of 61 after a brief illness.

The statement reads: “With total submission to the will of the almighty God, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the transition to glory of our father and brother, the legendary former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Prince Peter ‘Dodo Manyana’ Rufai.

“He died at six o’clock in the morning on Thursday, July 3, 2025 after a brief illness. He was 61 years old.”

While acknowledging the shock that accompanied the news of his passing, the family expressed gratitude for the life he lived, one marked by excellence, patriotism and inspiration to many.

“Despite our shock and sadness at his rather sudden demise, we are indeed extremely grateful to God for the impactful life he granted Prince Peter Rufai through a very successful football career that made him to become world famous,” the statement added.

The family recalled his remarkable football journey that began in the late 1970s with the Sharks Football Club in Port Harcourt, rising through the ranks to become Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goalkeeper.

He represented the country at both USA ’94 and France ’98 and was instrumental in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory.

“From a humble beginning with Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt in the late 1970s, he rose steadily through the ranks in the national team to become Nigeria’s first FIFA World Cup goalkeeper at USA ’94 and France ’98. He also featured at four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals and played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s victory at Tunisia ‘94. Altogether, he won 66 caps with the national team and scored one goal,” the statement added.

Beyond the national team, Rufai’s club career spanned continents – taking him to top leagues in Benin Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain – earning him admiration across Europe and Africa.

“Prince Peter Rufai also enjoyed a successful club career that took him from home in Nigeria to Benin Republic, Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain,” the statement also noted.

“He finally returned home to Nigeria after his retirement to set up Staruf Sports Development Limited, through which he got involved in grassroots sports and youth development. That was his fulltime engagement until he was called home by his Lord,” the statement continued.

Since the news of his passing broke, the family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and sympathy across Nigeria and the international football community.

“The Rufai family would like to thank all Nigerians at home and abroad who have been reaching out to us with condolence messages, either directly or through the media since the news broke of Prince Peter Rufai’s death.

“We thank everyone for your love and expression of sympathy. A formal announcement of the burial arrangements will be made in due course,” the statement concluded.

In the same vein, a former Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, shared an emotional tribute on the social media.
He wrote, “May your spirit continue to inspire future generations of Super Eagles. Fly high, Dodomayana – the nation mourns a hero.

“Can’t believe I’m typing this – a post to bid farewell to a true giant of Nigerian football, Peter Rufai. Your heroic reflexes and unwavering presence between the posts brought us moments of pride on the world stage.”

In his tribute, John Dosu, a younger brother to Joseph Dosu, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, revealed that Rufai gave him his first coaching opportunity, saying, “You taught me so many things. I’m grateful to you, legend.”

In an official statement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Rufai’s passing.

The general secretary of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi described the news as perplexing, saying the federation was unaware of his illness.

“We earnestly pray to the almighty God to grant him eternal rest and comfort all his loved ones, as well as the entire Nigerian football family,” Mr Sanusi said.
Clubs, including Remo Stars, Rangers International, Enyimba, Sporting Lagos and Kano Pillars, also paid glowing tributes.

“Though he never wore our colours, his legendary performances for the Super Eagles inspired generations across the nation,” Rangers posted on their official handle.

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker, also wrote: “Peter Rufai was one of Nigeria’s greatest sportsmen… A part of Nigerian football history has died today.”
Peter Rufai made his international debut in 1981 and played in two FIFA World Cup tournaments (1994 and 1998), as well as three Africa Cup of Nations finals, winning gold in 1994.

At club level, he had successful spells in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, where he exhibited unique talent, which shone forth while playing for the Stationery Stores and the Super Eagles.
His influence extended beyond his playing days as he committed his post-retirement years to youth development through his Staruf Football Academy in Lagos. At one time he served as a coordinator of the Nigeria U-23 team.