Prince Peter “Dodo Manyana”Rufai Goes HomeFormer Super Eagles goalkeeper and Nigerian football icon, Prince Peter “Dodo Mayana” Rufai, passed away at the age of 61 in the early hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, after a brief illness.
The news was confirmed in an official statement released by the Rufai family, who expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss but also immense gratitude for his impactful life and contributions to Nigerian football.
Born in Lagos into a royal family, Peter Rufai began his career in the late 1970s with Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt. He quickly rose through the ranks to become a central figure in the Nigerian national team, famously becoming Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goalkeeper, featuring at USA 1994 and France 1998.
Over the course of his illustrious international career, Rufai earned 66 caps and remarkably scored one goal—a rare feat for a goalkeeper. He also played in four Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s historic victory at Tunisia 1994.
At club level, his career spanned several countries, including stints in Benin Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, where he gained respect for his agility, leadership, and consistency between the sticks.
Following his retirement from active football, Rufai returned to Nigeria where he remained involved in the game through Staruf Sports Development Limited, a youth and grassroots sports initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of Nigerian athletes.
The Rufai family, in their statement, thanked Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for the outpouring of condolences and support since the news of his passing broke.
A formal announcement regarding his burial arrangements will be made in the coming days.
Prince Peter Rufai is survived by his children Don, Tunde, Confidence, Biodun, Bright, and David as well as siblings and extended family members.
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