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Multiple reports claim the former Super Eagles goalkeeper has passed away.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai has reportedly died after a battle with a prolonged illness.
A Black Thursday as Peter Rufai departs this world
According to Radio Nigeria, Rufai had been battling the illness for a while before he died on July 3, 2025.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) also confirmed Rufai’s death in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
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. 💚, The NFF said in a statement.
The news of Rufai’s passing comes after the football world was thrown into mourning following the tragic death of Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash.
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Rufai’s death is a big loss to the Nigerian football community. Regarded as one of Nigeria’s best goalkeepers, Rufai made 65 appearances for Nigeria’s Men’s national team from 1983-1998.
Rufai's Super Eagles and Club Career
He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to play for the senior team at the FIFA World Cup, helping the Golden Generation to reach the second round of the 1994 World Cup.
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Rufai was also in goal for the Super Eagles at the France 1998 World Cup, where the then two-time African champions were knocked out by Denmark in the round of 16.
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Peter Rufai provides solution to Super Eagles goalkeeper problem
The Super Eagles were drawn in Group A alongside Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau for the AFCON.
He was also part of the Super Eagles squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994. At the club level, Rufai started his career with the defunct Stationery Stores, but before moving to Europe to play for clubs like Lokeren, Beveren, Go Ahead Eagles, Farense, Deportivo La Coruna and Gil Vicente.
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