BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
A former boss of the Gombe State Football Association, Alhaji Gara Gombe has joined millions of Nigerian football stakeholders to react to the death of the former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai.
Gombe who issued an official statement on Thursday, described the former Super Eagles goaltender as one of the best in Nigeria who can be rated alongside World class goalkeepers such as Oliver Khan, Peter Schmikel, Iker Casilas, Dino Zoff, Van Der Saar, Heguita, Thomas Nkono amongst others.
“He is one of the best goalkeepers in the World produced by Nigeria and I am shocked like many Nigerians over his demise” Gombe stated.
Gombe while expressing himself also narrated an experience which happened in 2023 when Peter Rufai tried to launch his book and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Adọ Bayero involved him to be part of the process.
“In 2023, I received a call from the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Adọ Bayero, he said to me Peter Rufai invited him to Lagos as Royal Father of the Day at his book launch event” Gombe started.
“HRH said he has given Peter his commitment by accepting the invitation and to also attend in person”.
“The Emir further instructed me to prepare his speech based on my understanding of the Nigeria Football terrain and a friend to Dodo Mayana. I drafted the speech and raised a lot of fundamental issues inimical to the Development of the game of Football in Nigeria”. “I called HRH to ask if I can accompany him to the event he said that was why I said you should write the speech. I said your Highness, in as much as I will like to attend by the time you read that speech and I also appear many will say we know where this speech is coming from”.
Gombe however added that the book launch was postponed and he never bothered to find out if it was later launched but as the news of Rufai’s death broke out, it shocked Gombe reminiscent the scenario of the book launch.
Peter Rufai, 61, was not just a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, but also an icon of sports in Nigeria.
He was among the golden generation that won the AFCON in 1994 and also qualified Nigeria to her first ever World Cup in USA 1994.
