I can’t believe we have lost Peter Rufai —Adepoju

Worn Colossal Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, is silent in shock following the demise of his ex-colleague, Peter Rufai.

Rufai, who was in procedure for the Colossal Eagles when Nigeria obtained the African Countries Cup title at Tunisia ’94, died on Thursday.

“Now we be pleased lost a colleague, a brother, and an African story, Peter Rufai, our ‘Dodo Mayana’,” Adepoju stated.

“I’m silent in shock, and it’s extremely laborious to direction of this painful info. I pray that your soul relaxation in excellent peace, and that your family finds comfort in shimmering how deeply you be pleased been liked, respected, and admired.

“Flow nicely and would possibly per chance well your legacy proceed to inspire generations to reach back. You are going to be gone, nonetheless you will never be forgotten,” he stated.

Peter Rufai handed away within the early hours of Thursday morning after a extended sickness. He was 61.

His demise made it three the series of Nigeria football legends who be pleased handed on this One year. Worn Captain of the Green Eagles, Christian Chukwu, and Charles Bassey, every members of the 1980 AFCON a hit squad died earlier this One year.

Rufai’s demise marks the tip of an technology—an technology outlined by courage, pleasure, and the unifying vitality of sport.

A prince by birth and a patriot by alternative, Rufai grew to develop to be down the throne of his father in Idimu, Lagos, to help his country on the football pitch.

In doing so, he grew to develop to be extra than a goalkeeper—he grew to develop to be a image of Nigeria’s golden generation.

He was the last line of defence all the device in which by Nigeria’s historic 1994 Africa Cup of Countries triumph and stood mountainous because the country’s first-alternative goalkeeper at its debut FIFA World Cup appearance in 1994, and again in 1998.

With 65 global caps, Rufai’s name grew to develop to be synonymous with excellence, composure, and leadership.

His club profession spanned Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, the build he performed for top-flight teams in conjunction with Deportivo La Coruña and Hércules CF. But it without a doubt was within the golf green and white of Nigeria that he grew to develop to be immortal.

After retirement, Rufai remained a pillar of the football community, mentoring younger abilities by his Staruf Soccer Academy and advocating for education and self-discipline among aspiring athletes. His legacy lives on in every younger goalkeeper who dares to dream.