Peter Rufai, the legendary Nigerian goalkeeper fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness, leaving...

Peter Rufai, the legendary Nigerian goalkeeper fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in African and world football. As Nigeria and the football world mourn his loss, here are ten facts you never knew about Peter Rufai :

1. Born into Royalty: Peter Rufai was born on August 24, 1963, in Oshodi, Lagos, into a royal family. His father was a tribal king in Idimu, Lagos State. Despite being in line to inherit the throne, Rufai chose football over royalty, following his passion for the game.

2. Diverse European Club Career: He played professionally across several countries, including Benin, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. His clubs included Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions (Nigeria), AS Dragons (Benin), Lokeren and Beveren (Belgium), Go Ahead Eagles (Netherlands), Farense and Gil Vicente (Portugal), and Hércules and Deportivo La Coruña (Spain).

3. UEFA Cup Qualification Hero: While at Portuguese club SC Farense, Rufai was instrumental in helping the team qualify for the UEFA Cup for the first time in its history by conceding only 38 goals in 34 matches during the 1994 season.

4. First Nigerian Goalkeeper at FIFA World Cup: He was the first Nigerian goalkeeper to represent Nigeria and the Super Eagles at the FIFA World Cup, starting in both the 1994 and 1998 tournaments, cementing his place as a trailblazer for Nigerian goalkeepers on the world stage.

5. 1994 Africa Cup of Nations Champion: Rufai was a key player in Nigeria’s victorious 1994 AFCON campaign in Tunisia, helping the Super Eagles secure their second continental title.

6. Penalty-Scoring Goalkeeper: He famously scored a penalty in a 6–0 win over Ethiopia during a 1994 AFCON qualifier on July 24, 1993, a rare feat for a goalkeeper.

7. Nickname “Dodo Mayana”: His charismatic nickname reflected both his commanding presence in goal and his royal lineage, making him a beloved figure among fans.

8. Mentor and Coach Post-Retirement: After retiring, Rufai settled in Spain where he opened a goalkeeper school to nurture young talents, passing on his expertise to the next generation.

9. 65 Caps for Nigeria: Over his international career, Rufai earned 65 caps  for the Super Eagles, serving as the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper during Nigeria’s golden era in the 1990s.

10. Legacy Beyond Football: Known for his resilience and leadership, Rufai’s impact extended beyond the pitch. He inspired countless young African footballers and remained a respected ambassador for Nigerian football until his passing.

Peter Rufai’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a pioneering goalkeeper and national hero will forever live on in the hearts of Nigerians and football fans worldwide.

In an interview with Popular Side a podcast, Rufai said the word ‘Dodo’ from the nickname Dodo Mayana was given to him by the late goalkeeper Peter Fregene, while the other half Mayana was picked up during training in Portugal.

His words, “While in a room with Peter Fregene, he calls me Dodo, that generation of 1980, 1981, 1982, I joined the camp in 1981. So from that moment, I was lucky to fall into the hands of Peter Fregene, in fact, practically all of them.

“Every morning, before training, you’d see me sitting in front of Emmanuel Okala’s door waiting for him to open his door so that I can take his boots and hold it to enter the bus. Then I will go to Peter Fregene, Best Ogedengbe, I’d pack all their boots and go to the bus so when they want to wear their boots, I give to them.

“After training, sometimes I want to go and meet them they tell me ‘No problem, their jersey has been put to laundry.’ Then I’d say ‘What about the boots?’ They’d say ‘Don’t worry.’ I kept doing this all through my stay in camp.

“While doing it, Peter Fregene started calling me Dodo because of the way he sees I follow him up in his goalkeeping. From that word Dodo that he started calling me, we got to Portugal. We were in Portugal training led by the Brazilian coach Otto Glória, while the session was going on in 1982, Peter Fregene finished, Best Ogedengbe entered the goal and finished his own action. There was one other goalkeeper, then I went in.

“During my own turn, we had about 30 balls lined out. All the 30 balls were being shot to the goal by the Brazilian coach and I was attempting all those balls so the fans loved the way I was going for the balls and I was putting to practice what I saw Peter Fregene and Best Ogedengbe do.

“When they blew the final whistle fans were shouting. I was hearing the shout but I didn’t know that they were for me. So all of a sudden, I heard Dodo and they pointed to the crowd and I turned and saw the people so I signalled that tomorrow we have training. I was made to understand that they were wondering why we stopped. So they said ‘Amaya?’ And I said ‘Amaya Dodo’ and they said again ‘Dodo Amaya’ and I said ‘Amayana Dodo.’

“In Portuguese language Amayana means tomorrow. So fans now picked it up. When they say Dodo Mayana, I will respond Mayana Dodo. So fans love it more than calling me Peter.”