Peter Rufai

Peter Rufai Biography / Profile

Peter Rufai was born August 24th, 1963 in Lagos, Nigria. Rufai is the son of a tribal king in the region of Idimu, Lagos. He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted twenty years. Internationally known as Dodo Mayana, he is arguably the best-ever goalkeeper in the history of Nigerian football.

Peter Rufai Age

Peter Rufai is 61 years old.

Peter Rufai Career

Rufai started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions. In 1986, he moved to Benin, with AS Dragons FC de l'Ouémé. At a more professional level Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen and K.S.K. Beveren, although he appeared sparingly. In the 1993–94 season he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th in the Eredivisie. In 1994, Rufai started a Portuguese adventure with S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches,qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever. His solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, but he struggled to start for lowly Hércules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation. However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruña the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo'o, for two seasons – this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home win against CD Tenerife (1–0), as the Cameroonian was suspended. He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente FC, also being second-choice.

Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria, and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria's first ever appearance, where he also acted as captain) and 1998, also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. On 24 July 1993, during a CAN qualifier against Ethiopia, he scored Nigeria's last goal from a penalty kick, in a 6–0 home win.

Peter Rufai Personal Life

In 1998, Rufai was invited to become King in Idimu, Lagos after his father, the former king, died. He turned the offer down to continue his football career with Deportivo La Coruna. In 2012, he lost his mother, Mrs Christiana Roseline Ilamina Jaja Rufai, and sh was buried in Port Harcourt Rivers State.

Rufai has five siblings - Gladys, Bruce, Mary, Josephine and Patience. His oldest son, Senbaty, also plays football and has tried out as a midfielder for Sunshine Stars in the Nigerian Premier League. The former goalkeeper has a goalkeeping school in Spain where he is training talented youngsters. On February 5th, 2018, he joined Sports Radio station, Brila FM, as an on air personality.