OBITUARY
Stationery Stores Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai
The management and entire Stationery Stores Football Club (SSFC) family have paid an emotional tribute to their legendary former goalkeeper, Prince Peter Rufai, who passed away on Thursday. The revered shot-stopper, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” died at the age of 60.
In a statement issued on behalf of the board, management, past and present players, and teeming supporters, SSFC expressed deep sorrow over the loss of one of its greatest icons and extended heartfelt condolences to the Rufai Royal Family of Idimu, as well as to the late goalkeeper’s children—Okikiolu, Tunde, Confidence, Biodun, Bright and David.
“We pray that the Almighty God will give them all the strength and fortitude to bear this loss and see them through this difficult period. May the good Lord rest Peter’s soul in perfect peace,” the club stated.
Rufai, a Prince of the Idimu Kingdom in Lagos, is regarded as the most accomplished goalkeeper in the history of Stationery Stores and one of the greatest to ever man the posts for Nigeria’s national team. A national hero and cult figure among SSFC fans, his exploits between the sticks remain etched in Nigerian football folklore.
Dubbed a “GOAT, a legend and a superhero” by the club, Rufai was one of only six SSFC players to captain the Super Eagles and did so at both the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the FIFA World Cup. He earned 65 caps for Nigeria, winning bronze, silver, and gold medals at the AFCON, and captained the 1994 gold-winning team in Tunisia. He also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cups in 1994 (USA) and 1998 (France).
At club level, Rufai had an illustrious career across Europe, playing in top-flight leagues in Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Belgium, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
Beyond his football achievements, Rufai was praised for his humility, intelligence, and commitment to personal growth. He held an MBA and a UEFA coaching license, which he used to run a football academy and engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
His journey to SSFC, the club recalled, was a legendary one in itself. Originally playing for Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, Rufai was lured back to Lagos by passionate Stores supporters who funded his relocation and stay until he was recruited by the club’s management.
He soon became the club’s undisputed No. 1, playing from 1979 to 1984. His standout moment came in 1982 when he helped Stores end a 14-year wait to win the prestigious Challenge Cup, conceding only one goal in the entire tournament.
His performances that year earned him a call-up to the national team, setting the stage for an extraordinary international career. The 1980s revival of SSFC was symbolized by Rufai’s brilliance in goal, reminiscent of the club’s dominance in the 1960s under the late Israel Adebajo, father of the club’s present custodian.
Rufai’s legacy, the statement noted, continued well beyond his playing days. He remained actively involved with the club, mentoring players, supporting the coaching staff, and serving as a brand ambassador. His last engagement with SSFC was a courtesy visit to MTN executives in support of the club’s sponsorship proposals.
“Peter was more than a player—he was family, a confidant, and a reliable associate,” the tribute read. “Growing up, I had the privilege of calling him a close friend, and his death is a personal loss.”
The tribute concluded with a powerful symbol of rebirth and resilience: “The Flaming Flamingo is an immortal and mystical bird that cyclically regenerates and obtains new life from the ashes of its predecessors. The next cycle is imminent.”
Peter Rufai’s passing leaves a void in Nigerian football, but his legacy as “Dodo Mayana” lives on—in the memories of fans, the history of SSFC, and the annals of African football.
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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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