President Bola Tinubu has expressed great sadness at the passing of Mr. Peter Rufai, a former goalkeeper of the Super Eagles.
Mr Peter Rufai died on Thursday at the age of 61.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that President Bola Tinubu, who sent his condolences to the Rufai family in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, also condoled with the late footballer’s friends and football enthusiasts on the demise of the inimitable goalkeeper fondly called ‘Dodomayana’ by his numerous fans and football lovers all over Nigeria.
‘President Tinubu notes that Peter Rufai would be remembered as one of those patriotic sportsmen who wrote their names in gold in the sporting annals of Nigeria and the African continent.
I recall with fond memories the heroic contribution of Peter Rufai in the historic victory of the Super Eagles at the 1994 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia as the first-choice goalkeeper, followed up with Nigeria’s equally epoch-making, first appearance at the FIFA World Cup competition, dubbed USA ’94.
Rufai was also a strong member of the team at the subsequent edition of the competition in France in 1998’ he said.
President Tinubu described Peter Rufai, who started his career with Stationery Stores of Lagos in 1980, as ‘one of the earliest footballers in Nigeria to go professional, playing in many European countries including Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, bringing honour to the nation and opening a new window of opportunities for young footballers in Nigeria’.
‘After he retired from active football, Peter, a Prince of the Royal House in Idimu, Lagos, set up the Staruf Football Academy, where he continued to inspire, mentor and nurture young footballers’ the statement added.
The president prayed for comfort for all who mourn Peter Rufai’s loss and for the repose of his soul-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079, 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
