By Victor Okoye

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed shock at the death of Nigeria’s goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai at the age of 61.

Reports say the flamboyant goal-tender, who was in and out of the Nigeria senior team for 17 years, had been ill for some weeks.

This was before giving up the ghost at a Lagos hospital at about 6 a.m. on Thursday.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said Nigeria football firmament turned pale on Thursday evening following Rufai’s death.

The NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, was quoted as saying that the death came to the Federation as a rude shock, adding that the NFF wasn’t aware he had been ill.

“This is really, really shocking.

“Peter Rufai dead? What happened? I am perplexed. We did not even know that he had been ill.

“We earnestly pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest, and to comfort all his loved ones, as well as the entire Nigeria football family.”

Olajire stated that former Nigeria international midfielder Waidi Akanni had confirmed that the body of Rufai had been deposited at a Lagos hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rufai made his debut for the then Green Eagles in a friendly match in December 1981.

He won the Africa Cup of Nations silver in 1984 and 1988, before Nigeria swept to glory in the continental finals in Tunisia in 1994.

He was the first-choice goalkeeper in the three championships.

The charismatic and disciplined goalkeeper was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper in the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals (the Super Eagles made the Round of 16 on both occasions).

Rufai dedicated his post-retirement days to discovering and mentoring young players and also served as the coordinator of the Nigeria U23 team at a time.

Apart from his memorable outings with the Super Eagles, he was an extraordinary figure at Lagos club, Stationery Stores, with whom he reached the final of the Africa Cup Winners Cup competition in 1981.

He also played professional football in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne