Peter Rufai

Peter Rufai (24 August 1963 – 3 July 2025) was a Nigerian professional footballer who played for Super Eagles as a goalkeeper.^[1][2]

Peter Rufai

Personal information
Date of birth	(1963-08-24)24 August 1963
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Date of death	3 July 2025(2025-07-03) (aged 61)
Place of death	Lagos, Nigeria
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1980–1984	Stationery Stores
1985	Femo Scorpions
1986–1987	Dragons de l'Ouémé
1987–1991	Lokeren	206	(0)
1991–1993	Beveren
1993–1994	Go Ahead Eagles	12	(0)
1994–1997	Farense	62	(0)
1997	Hércules	10	(0)
1997–1999	Deportivo La Coruña	9	(0)
1999–2000	Gil Vicente	1	(0)
International career
1983–1998	Nigeria	65	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Having begun his career with Stationery Stores, he competed professionally abroad in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted 20 years.

Rufai represented Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Club career

Born in Lagos, Rufai started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores and Femo Scorpions. He moved to Benin in 1986, with Dragons de l'Ouémé.

At a more professional level Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with Sporting Lokeren^[3] 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 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 during his stay, in an eventual relegation.

However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo 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 Tenerife (1–0) as the Cameroonian was suspended.^[4] He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente, also being second-choice.

Rufai returned to Spain in 2003, settling in the country and opening a goalkeeper's school.^[4]

International career

Rufai earned 65 caps for Nigeria featuring at three AFCON while emerging victorious in the three semi-final penalty shootouts.^[5] and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 1998 as their first-choice goalkeeper^[6] and also helped the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.^[7]

On 24 July 1993, during a CAN qualifying match against Ethiopia, Rufai scored a penalty in a 6–0 home win.^[8]

Personal life and death

Rufai was the son of a tribal king in the region of Idimu. In early 1998, as his father died, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but turned down the status for himself.^[4]

He was married to Stella Rufai and had three children: A son, Tunde, and two daughters, Tutu and Abiodun. Rufai also had other children outside his marriage; one of them, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, having tried for Sunshine Stars F.C. in the Nigeria Premier League.^[9]

Rufai died after a long illness on 3 July 2025, at the age of 61.^[10]

Career statistics

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	24 July 1993	Surulere Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria	Ethiopia	6–0	6–0	1994 African Cup of Nations qualification