The death of former Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, fondly known as Dodo Mayana, has sparked heated controversy on social media among colleagues, fans, and football enthusiasts, particularly over the circumstances surrounding his demise.
At Rufai’s burial, former Super Eagles defender turned pastor, Taribo West, could not hold back his anger and frustration. In a fiery outburst, he condemned the Nigerian football authorities, declaring that he would never allow his own son to play for the national team.
West, lambasted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government, accusing them of abandoning Rufai’s family in their time of grief. He described their neglect as a disgrace and a betrayal of the country’s football heroes who once brought pride and glory to the nation.
Hear him; “It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family.”
“I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving.”
“My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”
“Late football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha were treated badly too.”
“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.”
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart.”
For those who don’t know, Peter Rufai died after a long illness on 3 July 2025, at the age of 61. He was buried on Friday, August 22nd, 2025 at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos State.