Peter Rufai: Nigerians ask questions after last public image of Super Eagles legend goes viral

• Nigerians are reacting to a viral representation showing legendary Nigerian goalkeeper Peter Rufai looking frail earlier his death
• Fans and stakeholders person raised concerns astir the payment strategy for retired Nigerian footballers aft Rufai’s abrupt death
• Rufai's passing reignites conversations astir wellness security and enactment for ex-athletes

Nigeria continues to mourn the nonaccomplishment of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who passed distant connected Thursday astatine the property of 61 pursuing a prolonged illness.

Popularly known arsenic "Dodo Mayana," the 61-year-old was a commanding fig betwixt the posts and 1 of the shining stars of Nigeria’s aureate shot generation.

Peter Rufai died successful the aboriginal hours of Thursday, July 3, 2025, pursuing a prolonged unwellness that had kept him distant from the public. Photo by Richard Sellers
Source: Getty Images

According to the BBC, Rufai earned 65 caps for the Super Eagles and played a pivotal relation successful Nigeria's historical 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph, arsenic good arsenic their groundbreaking debut astatine the FIFA World Cup the aforesaid year.

Born successful Lagos, Rufai’s bequest is etched successful the hearts of millions. He was not conscionable a harmless brace of hands, but besides a awesome of calm, confidence, and nationalist pride.

His decease marks different achy departure from the celebrated 1994 squad, a squad that remains an iconic portion of African shot history.

Rufai’s viral photograph raises questions

While tributes proceed to determination in, a caller photograph showing Peter Rufai successful a visibly frail authorities has sparked a question of interest and questions from Nigerians.

Peter Rufai made 65 appearances for the Super Eagles, featuring successful 2 FIFA World Cups and playing a cardinal relation successful Nigeria’s historical 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory. Photo by Stewart Kendall
Source: Getty Images

The image, taken during what would beryllium 1 of his last nationalist appearances successful a sit-down interview, has gone viral connected societal media, drafting affectional responses from fans, colleagues, and well-wishers alike.

UK-based lawyer Dele Olawanle successful a station connected X (formerly Twitter), voiced what galore Nigerians person been feeling, saying:

"If you are healthy, bash look aft yourself. It was bittersweet seeing Peter Rufai this mode earlier helium passed. Is determination immoderate wellness security for erstwhile footballers similar him, oregon is it thing those inactive playing should deliberation of?"

The nationalist outcry has not conscionable been astir Rufai’s appearance, but besides astir the seeming deficiency of systemic attraction for Nigerian sports heroes aft retirement.

Many fans are present asking: however does a nationalist icon slice distant successful silence, battling unwellness without disposable support?

Olufemi Adedotun tweeted:

“You tin accidental this again,our ex footballers merit much from this large state Nigeria.”

Ebong shared his concerns too:

“We person cried, begged & pleaded with everyone associated with shot successful Nigeria since, I can't remember, for footballers to person immoderate benignant of fallback plan.“But adjacent the footballers themselves person not shown interest. Many of them earned what galore tin lone imagination of.”

Who Does Dat was successful daze of Rufai’s past looks:

“What happened to him? He looked precise ill.”

Oluwaloseyifunmi besides posted:

“Nobody spoke up and they spot him often, helium is not looking steadfast present astatine all.”

A wake-up telephone for Nigerian sports

The viral representation of Rufai successful his last days has reignited conversations astir the payment of ex-footballers successful Nigeria.

While these athletes erstwhile brought glory to the country, galore look medical, financial, and affectional hardships aft their careers end, often without due enactment systems successful place.

Peter Rufai’s last interview

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Veteran sports journalist, Godwin Enakhena, released an affectional video of precocious Peter Rufai, wherever helium stated his volition earlier his demise.

Former president of the defunct MFM FC explained that the Super Eagles fable was hopeless to people his publication titled: 'My Story'.

1994 AFCON victor Peter Rufai said plans were underway to motorboat his publication successful June.

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Source: Legit.ng