Emotions ran high on Friday as former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, broke down in tears during the final rites of legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana. The late goalkeeper, who was a hero of Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and represented the country at two FIFA World Cups, was laid to rest in Lagos amidst grief and outrage.
Speaking during an interview at the burial, Taribo West could not hold back his pain as he lamented the treatment meted out to Rufai’s family by both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government. He accused the authorities of leaving the bulk of the funeral expenses to the bereaved family, describing the neglect as “madness.”
> “It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family… That is madness,” West said, his voice breaking with emotion.
The former Inter Milan and AC Milan defender, visibly shaken, recalled how the death of Rufai touched him deeply in ways he had never experienced before.
> “My mother passed. I never shed tears. My father passed in my hands. I never shed. But when Rufai passed, I had goose pimples… tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”
West further lamented what he described as a pattern of abandonment of Nigerian football legends who gave their lives and careers to bring glory to the nation. He recalled how players such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha were neglected in death despite their immense contributions to Nigerian football.
In a moment of raw frustration, he made a chilling declaration about his disillusionment with the system:
> “I will never even advise my son to put his feet for this country.”
The comments struck a chord among mourners and football fans nationwide, reigniting debates on how Nigeria treats its heroes after their playing careers and, ultimately, in death.
NFF’s Response
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), however, swiftly countered Taribo West’s claims, insisting that it had indeed provided financial support to both the family of Peter Rufai and that of Christian Chukwu, another Nigerian football legend who also recently passed.
According to the NFF, the body was “fully represented” at Rufai’s funeral by Executive Committee members, including Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi and Dr. Ademola Olajire. The Federation stated that beyond attending, it made monetary contributions to the burial expenses, though it did not publicly disclose the amount.
In a statement, the NFF expressed disappointment at the perception of neglect, insisting that the body had always shown concern for the welfare of past players and their families in times of bereavement.
Mixed Reactions
Despite the NFF’s rebuttal, many Nigerians took to social media to side with Taribo West, demanding proof of financial support from the federation. Critics argued that a recurring pattern has emerged in which national icons are left to die in poverty or have their families abandoned when support is most needed.
The controversy has reignited painful memories of how the late Rashidi Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time leading goal scorer, died in obscurity, and how Stephen Keshi, the 2013 AFCON-winning coach, was also abandoned in his final years.
For many Nigerians, the funeral of Peter Rufai has become more than a farewell to a football legend — it has become a symbol of national neglect of its heroes.
Who Was Peter Rufai?
Peter Rufai, fondly called Dodo Mayana, was one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers. He played in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups, winning international acclaim for his agility and bravery. At the peak of his career, Rufai played club football in Spain, Belgium, and Portugal. He remains one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in African football history.
His passing has left a deep void, not just in Nigerian football, but also in the hearts of millions who grew up watching him defend the Super Eagles’ goalpost with pride and determination.
A Call for Change
Taribo West’s emotional outburst at Rufai’s burial has once again raised pressing questions about how Nigeria treats its sporting heroes after their playing days. While the NFF insists it offered support, the widespread perception of neglect has overshadowed the funeral, leaving many to call for a policy framework to ensure national icons are honored in life and in death.
As one mourner put it: “If Nigeria can forget Peter Rufai, then who is safe after serving this country?”
