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- Outrage has erupted arsenic a photograph of Peter Rufai earlier his decease triggers accusations of neglect from the NFF and the government
- Former teammates and nationalist figures person criticised Nigeria’s attraction of sporting legends similar Rufai
- Rufai enjoyed a stellar planetary vocation with the Super Eagles, earning 65 caps betwixt 1983 and 1998
The football satellite is mourning the nonaccomplishment of 1 of Nigeria’s astir iconic goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who passed distant connected Thursday, July 3, astatine the property of 61 aft a little illness.
Known astir the satellite arsenic “Dodo Mayana,” Rufai was a important portion of Nigeria’s aureate procreation of the 1990s.
Source: Getty Images
According to the BBC, helium famously led the Super Eagles to triumph astatine the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and played successful Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup quality the aforesaid twelvemonth successful the USA.
However, his decease has stirred a caller question of disapproval against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Federal Government pursuing the circulation of a heartbreaking representation believed to beryllium 1 of the past taken earlier his passing.
Many Nigerians, including erstwhile footballers and celebrities, person voiced choler implicit what they picture arsenic the long-standing neglect of the nation’s sports legends.
Despite his singular publication to Nigerian football, Rufai reportedly received small authoritative enactment during his illness, and now, successful death, tributes person flooded in, excessively little, excessively late, galore say.
Public outcry implicit neglect of nationalist heroes
Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin did not clasp backmost successful condemning the government’s deficiency of support.
Source: Getty Images
According to Punch, the erstwhile Nigerian midfielder slammed the authorities and shot assemblage for abandoning nationalist heroes similar Peter Rufai.
“Someone volition conflict for Nigeria, play for Nigeria, and what volition it reward you with? Depression, frustration. What was the concern that the authorities could not assistance him?“They accidental helium was hospitalised, what sickness couldn’t person been diagnosed and treated? This is simply a large loss, and it shouldn’t beryllium until idiosyncratic dies that we observe and retrieve them. So bittersweet to suffer ‘Dodo Mayana’ this way.”Comedian Bovi Ugboma besides joined the conversation, expressing dismay astatine however legends are often honoured lone aft their passing.
“Rufai was an icon of Nigerian football... It’s heartbreaking that nationalist heroes similar him often walk distant quietly, uncelebrated and forgotten by the systems they gave their each to.“These men deserved acold much honour and appreciation portion they were alive. Our country’s shot legends merit better.”He referenced the belated lodging allocation to the 1994 AFCON-winning squad, a committedness fulfilled lone successful 2024, 30 years aft it was made.
To many, it is simply a motion of a deep-seated occupation successful the mode Nigeria treats its erstwhile heroes.
The authorities of Rufai’s location earlier his death
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that condolences poured successful for the legendary goalkeeper Rufai from the Nigerian shot community, galore of whom remembered him for his skills successful extremity and cheerfulness.
As seen successful a video going viral connected TikTok, the concern astatine the erstwhile player’s location was calm after his death, with radical filling the condolence book.
His neighbours testified that helium was a liable antheral who participated successful the improvement of the assemblage and was humble contempt his presumption arsenic a erstwhile prima who travelled astir the world.
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Source: Legit.ng
