Nigerian Football
Peter Rufai, MKO Abiola’s birthday mate clocks 60 today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Former Nigeria captain and goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has joined the Diamond Jubilee Club as he clocks 60 years today.
Coincidentally, he shares the 24 August birthday with Africa’s greatest ever known philanthropist, Bashorun MKO Abiola who would have been 86 today if he were alive.
Rufai will be marking his 60th birthday anniversary in a couple of day’s time and the highpoint of it will be the unveiling of a book on the Nigerian football legend.
It is written by famous Nigerian sports journalist and academician, Dr. Mumini Alao.
The power-packed programme is slated for the first week of September.
Easily the most flamboyant Nigerian national team goalkeeper and perhaps the first to venture abroad, Rufai was a trojan at the goal post.
With 62 international appearances for Nigeria, he established himself as a fine successor to Emmanuel Okala and Best Ogedegbe.
He ranked close to Muda Lawal, Austin Okocha and Stephen Keshi in the number of appearances for the national team.
Rufai was a creative goalkeeper whose sharp reflexes and long reach enabled him to make difficult saves.
Peter Rufai (r) as Nigeria’s skipper at the USA ‘94 World Cup meets the legendary Diego Maradona in pre match formality ahead of their Group D clash in Foxboro.
His major attribute lay in his ability to stop penalty kicks. In 1981 when he had his first international experience with Super Stores in the African Winners’ Cup, Rufai was instrumental to the club’s saves against A.S. Benghazi in Tripoli, CAPS United of Zimbabwe in Lagos and Union Sportive of Douala in Yaoundé.
Some of his most spectacular saves were in 1983 at Rabat, Morocco. Rufai saved two penalty kicks to give Nigeria a 5-3 win in the last qualifying match for 1984 Africa Cup of Nations.
It was that game that shot him into international prominence. His other penalty saves were in the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt, 1988 Africa Cup of Nations match against Algeria and in 1994 against Cote d’Ivoire. All were semi-final matches.
One of his greatest disappointments in the national team was a 1985 World Cup-tie against Tunisia in Tunis. Rufai kept a clean slate in Lagos where Nigeria managed a 1-0 win. Back in Tunis, the North Africans nullified the goal in 30 minutes.
Peter Rufai could not understand what happened on the fateful night of 20 July 1985.
He was no doubt badly protected by his defenders. Rufai clad in his famous yellow shirt and black trousers almost shouted himself hoarse.
His worst outing was at the France ’98 World Cup where he was a last minute inclusion into the Nigerian team. No doubt, the goalkeeper was the weak link of the disorganised Nigerian defence.
But Peter Rufai had his excuses. He said that he was compelled to join the Nigerian squad despite not being prepared mentally and physically for the tournament.
When the 1997/98 season was finishing, Rufai said he was planning to go on holiday in Cuba and had stayed out late at a disco party before he got his call up to the national squad. At France ’98, Rufai came under heavy criticism following Nigeria’s 4-1 loss to Denmark. It was the heaviest tally Rufai conceded in any full international.
As a goalkeeper, he scored a goal for Nigeria when he converted a penalty for the Super Eagles in a 6-0 defeat of Ethiopia during the last qualifying game for Tunisia ’94 Africa Cup of Nations.
He became the first Nigerian goalkeeper abroad when he crossed the border to guide the goal post for Dragon FC of Republic of Benin in 1986.
Two years earlier, he left Stationery Stores after four seasons with the club to join a less-fancied Femo Scorpions in a rural town of Eruwa. After four years in Benin Republic, Rufai joined the Belgium trek and signed for Lokeren in the 1989/90 season.
He featured for a couple of clubs in Europe, among which are Beveren (Belgium), Go Ahead Eagles (Holland), Farense (Portugal), Hercules (Spain), Deportivo La Coruña (Spain) and Gil Vicente (Portugal). His most successful spell was with the Portuguese team, Farense.
His spectacular form in the club made Rufai to be acknowledged as the best goalkeeper in Portugal. He was with the club for two seasons and started in 26 matches in the 1994/95 season. In the following season he featured in 23 games for the Portuguese club before joining the Spanish side, Hercules and then Deportivo La Coruña in the 1997/98 season.
Nigerian Football
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
Prominent FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has issued a formal legal demand to former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, seeking a full retraction and apology over alleged defamatory statements made against him about Nigeria’s 2008 Olympic football campaign.
In a letter dated and signed by his legal representatives, Godwin Dick Inyang & Co., Shittu categorically denied Siasia’s claim—widely reported in the media including Sahara Reporters and Soccernet.ng—that he offered Siasia a bribe of €50,000 to secure John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in the Nigeria U-23 team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
The legal notice, addressed directly to Siasia, described the allegation as “false, malicious, and grossly defamatory,” adding that it had caused “reputational harm and professional injury” to Shittu, who is widely respected in the global football industry.
“Your statement is false, malicious, and calculated to disparage and lower our client in the estimation of his colleagues, clients, and the public, particularly in the tightly regulated world of professional sports management,” the letter stated.
Shittu’s legal team is demanding:
- A full and unreserved retraction of the alleged statement on Sahara Reporters, Soccernet.ng, and all other platforms that published it;
- Publication of the retraction in at least two widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch and This Day;
- A formal, written apology addressed to Mr. Shittu and published on all aforementioned platforms;
- A written undertaking not to issue or publish any similar statements in the future;
- Payment of ₦250 million in damages for defamation, reputational injury, and consequential losses.
The legal notice further warned that failure to comply within 14 days of receipt will result in legal action against Siasia. The planned suit would seek aggravated damages, a restraining injunction, and full legal costs.
Shittu is well known in Nigerian and international football circles, having managed and represented top-tier footballers over the years.
The gravity of the allegations, his legal team argues, is not only damaging to his personal and professional reputation but could also have implications in the closely scrutinised world of sports integrity and management.
As of the time of filing this report, Siasia has not publicly responded to the legal threat.
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Tribute by Patrick Ekeji Reflects Bond, Legacy, and Regret Over Lost Potential
The Nigerian football community is in mourning following the passing of former Green Eagles captain, Captain Chris Chukwu, MFR, a towering figure in Nigerian football and one of the most respected team leaders of his generation.
In an emotional tribute, a close teammate and longtime friend of Chukwu reflected on the deep bond they shared, describing the late defender as more than just a colleague on the pitch.
“It’s been difficult for me to accept that ‘Ol boy’ – for that is what we called each other – is no more,” the tribute began. “The news was most unexpected. It took me some time to come to terms with it.”
The bond between the two football greats, which began during their school days and continued through their careers in club and national teams, was described as one built on mutual respect and camaraderie. According to the tribute, they communicated frequently, sometimes as often as two to three times a month, until Chukwu’s health began to decline.
The writer also acknowledged the humanitarian gesture of business magnate Femi Otedola, who funded Chukwu’s medical treatment abroad when his illness worsened. “Otedola, I shall always remember what you did for him. Thank you,” the tribute noted.
Chris Chukwu was lauded as the most consistent team leader of his time, having captained teams from the East Central State Academicals to Rangers International FC, and eventually, the Green Eagles. His leadership qualities, on-field vision, and calm command earned him universal respect among teammates and coaches.
“He towered so high with the execution of his skills, overview and control of the team. It was natural, and we all respected his views on any issues that arose between us and the officials.”
The tribute also touched on Chukwu’s coaching career, noting with some regret that his gentle nature may not have suited the demands of the dugout. It further lamented the absence of adequate post-retirement support systems for athletes of his generation, which might have offered him a more structured path after his playing days.
“True, no living being has power over death, yet I believe that his post-soccer days would have taken a different route if there existed a system whereby such talents as he had exposure to appropriate post-sports/football years counselling.”
As burial plans are underway, the late football icon is being remembered not only for his achievements on the pitch but also for his humility, leadership, and the inspiration he provided to generations of Nigerian players.
“It is my prayer that God receives his soul in heaven whilst also strengthening the family he left behind to accept his departure with utmost spiritual and physical strength. Adieu, Chris.”
Chukwu’s death marks the end of an era, but his legacy will live on in Nigerian football history.
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BY IKENNA NWOKEDI
The Nigeria National League Club Owners and Managers Association (NALCOMA) has lauded the leadership of the Nigeria National League (NNL) under Chief George Aluo for the successful completion of the 2024/25 season.
Speaking at a media parley with sports journalists in Lagos over the weekend, NALCOMA President Godwin Enakhena praised the NNL board for its efforts in enhancing the quality and integrity of the league.
Enakhena described the just-concluded season as a major success, highlighting the competitive performance of teams across the four groups and the commendable conduct of fans at various match venues. He also noted significant improvements in officiating standards compared to previous seasons, attributing the progress to the NNL leadership’s commitment to raising the league’s profile.
“The standard of officiating improved remarkably this season. It reflects the dedication of the NNL leadership to ensure the league matches the standards of the top-flight NPFL,” said Enakhena, who also serves as Chairman of Sporting Lagos FC.
He further commended the NNL for securing the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State, as the host venue for the upcoming Super 8 playoffs, scheduled from July 5 to 12, 2025. He expressed gratitude to the Governor of Delta State, H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his continued support for football development.
Enakhena urged the eight qualifying teams to approach the playoffs with determination, noting that only the best should represent the NNL in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) for the 2025/26 season.
The teams set to battle for promotion in the Super 8 are Warri Wolves, Crown FC (Ogbomosho), Kun Khalifat FC (Owerri), Osun United FC, Wikki Tourists FC (Bauchi), Yobe Desert Stars, Doma United FC (Gombe), and Barau FC (Kano).
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