July 3, 2025, has established itself as a date the football world won’t easily forget. Unfortunately, it won’t be remembered by an amazing game, trophy match, or player’s exceptional performance but by the saddest possible news.Yesterday morning, people all around the globe were shocked to find out that Liverpool forward and Portugal international Diogo Jota died in a car crash, and the day ended in the same way it started.Last night, devastating news came from Lagos, Nigeria. Legendary Super Eagles custodian Peter Rufai passed away at the age of 61 in a hospital in Nigeria’s most populous city due to an undisclosed illness.🇳🇬🕊️ 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.Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.Rest well, Peter Rufai. 💚#SuperEagles #AFCON pic.twitter.com/9x7XEwE58a— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) July 3, 2025 During his 20-year career – apart from representing clubs in his homeland – Rufai played in Belgium for Lokeren and Beveren, in the Netherlands for Go Ahead Eagles, in Portugal for Farense and Gil Vicente (where he ended his career in 2000), and in Spain for Hercules and Deportivo La Coruna.Still, he’ll be mainly remembered as a starting goalkeeper in Nigeria’s two maiden FIFA World Cup appearances in 1994 and 1998. The Super Eagles topped their groups in both tournaments before being eliminated in the Round of 16 by Italy and Denmark, respectively. Rufai clocked every minute in eight games Nigeria played at the aforementioned World Cups and kept three clean sheets.##EDITORS_CHOICE##He participated in three African Cups of Nations – in 1984, 1988, and 1994 – and reached the grand final in each. In 1984, he made appearances in the ultimate group stage game and the semi-finals, but spent the trophy match Nigeria lost to Cameroon on the bench.In 1988 and 1994, he was the first-choice custodian, clocking every minute on the pitch. In 1988, the Super Eagles once again fell short against the Indomitable Lions in the final, but won the trophy six years later, beating Zambia 2-1.In total, Rufai made 65 appearances in his 17-year national team career and even scored one goal from the spot in a 6-0 win over Ethiopia in the 1994 AFCON qualifiers.Rest in Peace, Peter. We’ll never forget you.##NAJAVA_MECA_9005924##
