It was with a heavy heart and sadness that we received the news yesterday, of the passing of our Super-hero and legendary goalkeeper Prince Peter Rufai the Dodo Mayana. On behalf of the board, management, past and present players, and our teaming supporters; we are extending our heartfelt condolences to the Rufai Royal Family of Idimu, Peter’s siblings, wife and children; Okikiolu, Tunde, Confidence, Biodun, Bright and David. We pray that the almighty god will give them all the strength and fortitude to bear this loss and see them through this difficult period. May the good lord rest Peter’s soul in perfect peace.
Peter Rufai, a Prince of the ldimu Kingdom in Lagos, is the most accomplished Goalkeeper for Stationery Stores Football Club SSFC, and the Nigerian National Team in the modern era. (With all due respect to his namesake Late Peter “The Cat” Fregene, who was the most accomplished in his era, having kept in goal for SSFC and Nigeria, notably in the 1968 Olympics).
Also Read: 5 Things To Know About The Late Peter Rufai
Peter was one of the six SSFC players to captain the Green/Super Eagles, having the honour both at the African Nation’s Cup and the World Cup as captain of the Eagles. He is a GOAT, Legend and Super-Hero. The tales of his exploits; game changing saves and tournament deciding penalty shootout stops, are still being told by the millions of teeming supporters. A crowd favourite with a personality and skills on the field of play to match that appeal. Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper for 15 years,earned him 65 caps, winning bronze,silver and gold medals at the African Cup of Nations. He captained the 1994 gold medal winning at the African Nations Cup in Tunisia. He also played in two FIFA World Cups in goal for Nigeria in USA ‘94 and France 98. At club level he played at the elite level in Europe in the Champions League and UEFA Cup with premier league clubs in Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and Belgium.
What has impressed me most about Peter is his humility, intelligence and soft-spoken character as a legend. What is even more impressive is how he has built his career after Football. He has earned himself an MBA and UEFA coaching licence to which he has put to good use to support and develop his Academy, Foundation, Business and CSR projects.
The legend of Peter Rufai is synonymous with the re-emergence of SSFC in the 1980s and his performance in goal for SSFC. He was the undisputed first choice keeper for six years between 1979 and 1984. After back-to-back SSFC Challenge Cup victories in 1967 and 1968, the death of my father Israel Adebajo in 1969, disrupted the legacy of one of the most formidable teams in the history of Nigeria. This SSFC team provided the bulk of players to the Green Eagles and fielded 9 players in the 1968
Olympics. In the absence of a local league, the Challenge Cup was the most sort after trophy in Nigerian football. In the 1970s SSFC trophy cabinet was barren and devoid of this prestigious trophy. This despite tremendous success in Lagos with the Oba Cup which SSFC won numerous times with the legendary Haruna llerika, Sani Mohamed and Yakubu Mambo.
A decade later with Peter in goal, SSFC had built another formidable team ready to challenge for the converted trophy that had eluded the club. As Ed Keazor put it “his legend started in the proper place in the hearts of the diehard supporters of SSFC who gave him the name Dodo Mayana and was a super-hero as far as the fans were concerned”. These were the same diehard supporters who could not stand the fact that a Prince of Idimu in Lagos was in goal for Sharks FC in Port Harcourt. They hastily arranged his transport fare to Lagos, put him in a hotel, and underwrote all his expenses until he was brought to the attention of the SSFC Chairman at the time, late High Chief Oyebanjo, for trials. The birth of a legend, as the rest is they say is history. By 1980, SSFC was in the finals of the Challenge Cup but unfortunately, lost 1-0 in the finals to Bendel Insurance. Thanks to Peter’s heroics the score line was kept in check. However, in 1982 a formidable SSFC team, finally won the Challenge Cup after a 14-year wait, beating Niger Tornados 4-1 in the finals. Peter in goal conceded only one goal throughout the entire competition which was in the finals. This performance cemented his legendary and super-hero status in the folklore of diehard SSFC supporters in Lagos and Nigerian football fans worldwide.
Also Read: Rufai Family Expresses Gratitude As Tributes Pour In For Late Super Eagles Legend
It was his performance during this period that earned him call-up to the national team in 1982. This provided Peter the necessary exposure and platform to prepare and position him for a professional career in the elite European leagues. SSFC went on to win the Challenge Cup again in 1990 with another formidable team. This team also provided Nigeria with three Atlanta Olympic football gold medalist and World Cup players. Unfortunately, the SSFC has not won the Challenge Cup since 1990, and the die-hard supporters are still yearning for another legend and super-hero in the mold of Dodo Mayana.
Peter has been very supportive with giving back to the SSFC and does not hesitate to come back and mentor our players and give them advise. Our coaching staff has also tremendously benefitted from his knowledge, and he was a great brand ambassador for SSFC. His last outing with us was a visit to the MTN board Chairman Engr. Ernest Ndukwe and CEO Karl Toriola in support of our sponsorship request proposal. Growing up I have had the rare privilege of relating with the top football players in Nigeria who I looked up to as heroes. My Egbon uncle Muyiwa Oshode represents a generation. I developed a close personal relationship with Peter as we are close in age and of the same generation. He was a confidant, my close friend and a reliable associate.
The Flaming Flamingo is an immortal and mystical bird that cyclically regenerates and obtains new life from the ashes of its predecessors. The next cycle is imminent.
Adetilewa A. Adebajo
Chairman,
Stationery Stores Football Club Limited
1 Comment
Rest in peace “dodo Mayana” Peter RUFAI.