Nigerian football legend Peter Rufai, fondly remembered as “Dodo Mayana,” was laid to rest in Lagos, but the funeral stirred controversy after top football officials failed to attend — www.naijnaira.com reports.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Rufai’s memorial events, including the Service of Songs and Lying-in-State at Onikan Stadium, had no senior representatives from the Nigeria Football Federation or the National Sports Commission.
Rufai was Nigeria’s number one goalkeeper during the 1990s, a hero of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph, and a two-time FIFA World Cup star.
He also dedicated his post-retirement years to nurturing youth players and supporting national youth teams.
Stakeholders described the absence of football administrators as “a missed opportunity” to honour a man who gave so much to the game.
Former Lagos FA boss Waidi Akanni declared, “His service to the country deserved more than a ₦3 million cheque and silence.”
Ex-international Etim Esin added that neglecting legends sends the wrong message: “No top footballer will trust this system if we continue to treat legends like this.”
While the NFF said it sent a delegation and approved financial support, many argued presence mattered more than money.
Calls grew for structural reforms, with PFAN leaders insisting player welfare should be a guaranteed right, not an afterthought.
Critics urged the NFF to channel FIFA and CAF grants into sustainable welfare funds for ex-players.
Stakeholders agreed the treatment of Rufai reflects a deeper problem in Nigeria’s football system that requires urgent reform.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
