Sunday August 3, 2025
By TheNewsDESK |
The family of former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, has announced that his burial will take place on Friday, 22 August. Preparations for his funeral are ongoing, with a football tribute match also being planned in his honour, The GUARDIAN reported.
The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), in collaboration with the Lagos State Sports Commission and the Lagos State Football Association, is coordinating the organisation of a Valedictory Football Match.
The event is scheduled to hold on the same day as the burial and may take place at either Teslim Balogun Stadium or Onikan Stadium in Lagos.
According to PFAN, the tribute match will involve all registered football clubs and academies in Lagos, who are expected to appear in their official kits. Divisions of the All Stars International Football Clubs are also slated to participate.
PFAN made this known during a condolence visit to the Rufai family residence in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos on 30 July. The delegation, led by Tajudeen Ajide, included former Nigerian internationals Clement Temile, Taju Disu, and Princewill Gbogbodu.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Ajide said PFAN had opened discussions with relevant authorities to support the family and ensure Rufai is given a proper send-off.
“Peter Rufai served Nigeria with passion and pride. He deserves a state honour and a befitting farewell from the people he represented so well on the world stage,” PFAN said in a statement issued after the visit.
Dele Rufai, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation for the visit, calling it “timely and deeply comforting.”
Peter Rufai died on 3 July. He was the first-choice goalkeeper during Nigeria’s successful football campaigns in the 1990s, including the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and appearances at the USA ’94 and France ’98 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
He began his football career at Stationery Stores in Lagos before moving abroad, where he played for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
After retirement, Rufai was involved in youth football development and occasionally worked with national youth teams.
Further details on the funeral programme are expected to be released by the family and organisers in the coming days.
