FORMER SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN PETER RUFAI DIES AGED 61.

Nigerian football is in mourning following the death of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper and former captain Peter Rufai, who passed away on Thursday July 3, at the age of 61 in Lagos after a prolonged illness.
Rufai, fondly remembered as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers, earned 65 international caps for the national team and captained the Super Eagles during their golden era in the 1990s. He was part of the historic squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and also represented Nigeria in two FIFA World Cups—USA 1994 and France 1998.
His death was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with NFF President Ibrahim Gusau describing it as "a huge loss for Nigerian football." He added that Rufai had appeared frail during their last encounter but his passing still came as a shock.
Throughout his club career, Rufai played in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, turning out for teams like Lokeren, Go Ahead Eagles, Gil Vicente, and Deportivo La Coruña. After retiring, he devoted his life to developing young talents, establishing goalkeeper academies both in Nigeria and abroad.
Tributes have poured in from across the football world, with former teammates and current players hailing Rufai as a mentor, patriot, and national pride.