BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Vice Chairman of Lagos State Football Association, LSFA, Adedotun Coker and other football stakeholders in the state are still mourning the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai who died early on Thursday at 61 after a brief illness.
The news of the death of legendary former Super Eagles goalie was received by the Lagos football stakeholders as a shock while some of them who sent their condolences messages to our correspondent described his dead as a great loss to football family in Lagos and Nigeria at large.
In his tribute, Coker praised the late Rufai who had passion for football development when he was alive.
“Peter Rufai was a humble Prince that preferred football over Kingship. He was a good friend and Ambassador to my shared strong belief in youth football development.
“It is a rude shock to hear the untimely passage of one of our safe hands who made the fanatical Stationery Stores fans and Nigerians happy during his active playing days. May the soul of my departed friend and brother rest in perfect peace…Amen!!!”
In his own tribute, Chairman Ikorodu Divisional Football Association, Alhaji Lukman Sonibare expressed shock over the passing of legendary goalkeeper.
“The death of Peter Rufai was shocking and huge blow to the Nigerian football. His departure has left a vacuum as a role model to the youth of this country.The irreparable loss is unprecedented. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” Shonibare said.
While Chairman Badagry Divisional Football Association, Dr Martins Osondu described tbey late Rufai as a committed goalkeeper who served the country wholeheartedly during his active days.
“We have lost a great legend. I am not the only one mourning him, the entire country is still in shock over his sudden death. May his soul continues to rest in peace and the Lord uphold his families and the relations he left behind, ” he said.
Some of the coaches and football club owners also expressed their sadness over the passing of the legendary goalie.
Leader of Alimosho Football Coaches Council, Samuel Uchenna Eke who doubles as the chairman of Samjason FC also expressed his grief following the dead of Rufai.
“It was a huge shock. Yesterday was indeed a dark day for our football. I personally watched Rufai from my primary school days and grew up seeing him as the best keeper in the world because we had little opportunity to watch foreign leagues. At the Africa Nations Cup in Morocco in 1988 semi-final penalty shootouts, he became our hero, the love for him as a goalkeeper was immense. May God console the nation and his family,”he said.
While the Leader of Agege Football Coaches Council, Olumide Ajayi described the death of Rufai as a colossal loss to the football family not only in Lagos but the country at large.
“No one can ever be happy to lose the loved ones. Coach Rufai’s death came as a shock to me. But what can one say than thank God for his life. He impacted the up coming generation, he brought glory to the country. I pray God to grant his family the grace to carry on his legacy. He will forever be remembered,”
In his own comment, team manager of Prince Kazeem Eletu Football Club of Lagos, Muftau Eletu also paid tribute to the late Rufai, saying his sudden death is a monumental loss to the football family in Nigeria.
“We lost everyone’s childhood hero, we lost a monumental figure in our history. It’s a sad day for the footballing world,”
said Eletu who consoled and prayed for his the families he left behind.
Commenting on the Rufai’s death, chairman Seamoriow Football Club of Lagos, Seyi Amos said he’s still in shock after he received the news yesterday’s evening.
“It came as a shocking revelation on July 3, 2025—a dark day for the footballing world. Dodo Mayana, a legendary figure, had been absent from the media for sometime, and no news of his prolonged illness had reached the public until his passing.
“It’s disheartening to think that some deaths could have been prevented if there had been a dedicated department responsible for the welfare and medical care of these iconic athletes who sacrificed so much for their sport,”he said.
Chairman of Chekas United Football Club, Chekwube Uzoegbo described late Rufai as one of the great goal stoppers, saying that the football world will miss him .
“May his soul continues to rest in peace,”he said.
While former member of LSFA, Alhaji Azeez Tijani said that the passing of legendary Rufai is devastating and prayed for the families he left behind.
Chairman of Liam’s Height Sports Academy,, Williams Azenabor said the death of Rufai was so shocking and devastating, adding that he will surely be missed by the football world and prayed for his family to find the fortitude to bear this great lost.
In his own comment, team manager of Bucknor FC, Habeeb Adebowale also described the death as shocking and sad to the football family in Lagos.
