By Orkula Shaagee
A former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has joined millions of football stakeholders across the globe to mourn the demise of Nigeria’s legendary goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, saying that Nigeria and indeed the world football fraternity will miss the contributions of goaltender to the round leather game.
Maigari also expressed sadness and pain over the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, fondly called Dodo Mayana.
Rufai died in Lagos on Thursday after a period of illness.
Rufai, who manned the post for the Super
Eagles when Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1994, and was the country’s first choice goaltender at the 1994 and 1998 World Cup, where he helped Nigeria reach the Round of 16, succumbed to the cold hands of death after weeks of illness.
In a statement issued yesterday, Maigari described Rufai as a fearless goalkeeper, whose composure was a threat to many attackers.
Besides, Maigari said the deceased goalkeeper was committed to the national team duties any time he was called upon by team selectors.
Maigari said, “His death came to me as a shock, and it is a huge loss to the nation’s football industry.
“During his playing days, Peter Rufai was committed to the national team, and even after retirement, he has been involved in raising young players for the country. We will surely miss him”.
The former NFF supremo extended condolences to the Rufai family, friends, and the Nigerian football community, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.