OBITUARY
Nigeria Mourns: Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai Dies at 61
The Nigerian football community was thrown into deep mourning on Thursday following confirmation that Peter Rufai, former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, has died.
The iconic shot-stopper, fondly known as Dodomayana, passed away in Lagos at about 6 a.m. after a brief illness.
The news, which initially spread quietly, was later confirmed by a senior Lagos State Government official and corroborated by former international Waidi Akanni, who disclosed that Rufai’s remains had been deposited in a Lagos hospital.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed shock and deep sorrow at the passing of one of the country’s greatest footballers.
“This is really, really shocking,” said NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, from Abuja. “Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill.
We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and to comfort all his loved ones as well as the entire Nigerian football family.”
A Storied Career
Peter Rufai made his international debut in December 1981 in a friendly match for the then Green Eagles, marking the beginning of a 17-year journey in the national team. He went on to become a stalwart in goal, representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup with distinction.
He was between the sticks when Nigeria won AFCON 1994 in Tunisia—Nigeria’s second continental title. Before then, he was also part of the squads that finished runners-up in 1984 and 1988. He featured as Nigeria’s No. 1 goalkeeper in all three tournaments.
Rufai was also the Super Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper at USA ’94 and France ’98 World Cups, helping Nigeria reach the Round of 16 in both tournaments, and earning plaudits for his calm presence, agility, and leadership.
Club Career & Legacy
Domestically, Rufai made his mark with Stationery Stores FC of Lagos, with whom he reached the final of the 1981 African Cup Winners’ Cup. He later moved abroad, enjoying professional stints in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, where he played for top-flight side Deportivo La Coruña.
After retiring from active football, Rufai dedicated his life to youth development and coaching, notably running the Staruf Football Academy in Lagos and serving briefly as coordinator of Nigeria’s U-23 team.
A Life Remembered
Born into royalty—he was the son of a king—Rufai earned the nickname Dodomayana, a nod to both his noble heritage and charismatic presence. Off the pitch, he was known for his discipline, humour, and deep love for Nigerian football.
His sudden passing leaves a void in the hearts of fans, former teammates, and aspiring goalkeepers who saw him as a role model.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.
Peter Rufai (1963–2025)
Rest in peace, legend.
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Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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