The death of the former Super Eagles shot-stopper was confirmed on Thursday, July 3, 2025, by Radio Nigeria, although no formal announcement has yet been issued by his family.
According to Radio Nigeria, Rufai passed away on Thursday morning following a prolonged illness that had kept him away from the public in recent months.
The Super Eagles have paid tribute to former Nigerian goalkeeper and 1994 Africa Cup of Nations champion, Peter Rufai, following news of his death.
In a statement released on Thursday via X, the national team described Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana”, as a towering figure in Nigerian football history whose contributions would never be forgotten.
“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the statement read.
The statement lauded Rufai’s legacy, particularly his heroics between the posts and his influence beyond the pitch.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond. Rest well, Peter Rufai,” it added.
Widely recognised as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, Rufai earned 65 international caps for the Super Eagles.
He featured prominently in two FIFA World Cup tournaments and was part of the national team that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1994.
Known for his composure and leadership on the field, Rufai was a key figure in Nigerian football during the 1990s.
In a separate development prior to his death, Rufai had issued a public statement in June alerting the public to a cyberattack on his personal data.
He reported that unknown individuals had gained access to his personal and corporate information, including his Nigerian passport, and had called on authorities and the public to be vigilant.
At the time, he expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian law enforcement agencies to investigate the breach and bring those responsible to justice.
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