Former Nigerian international goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu, has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Peter Rufai, describing the legendary shot-stopper as his idol and a major influence on his football career.

In an emotional message following Rufai’s passing on Thursday, July 3, Shorunmu, who also manned the posts for the Super Eagles and Lagos-based Stationery Stores FC, revealed how the late Rufai’s charisma and goalkeeping brilliance inspired his own journey into the sport.

“Dodomayana was just a wonderful personality on and off the field,” Shorunmu stated, using Rufai’s popular nickname. “Because of him, I joined Stationery Stores FC. I admired him a lot when he was playing for Stores.”

Shorunmu, who eventually rose to become Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, said meeting Rufai in the national team was a dream come true. He credited the late captain with shaping his goalkeeping skills through valuable mentorship.

“When we now met in the national team, he taught me different things which I will not forget quickly,” he added. “Adieu, my idol Peter Rufai. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. I will miss you, Dodomayana.”

Rufai, who died at the age of 61, was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and helped the Super Eagles lift the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations. He also captained the team in several crucial matches and is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s greatest goalkeepers of all time.

His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from former teammates, football administrators, and fans both in Nigeria and abroad.

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Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves and Joao Cancelo broke down in tears during the minute’s silence held for their former Portugal teammate Diogo Jota before their side’s Club World Cup quarter-final against Fluminense on Friday.

Jota, a Liverpool forward, and his younger brother Andre Silva were killed in a car accident in northwestern Spain on Thursday morning when their Lamborghini veered off the road and caught fire.

Tributes have continued to pour in for Jota and Andre with footballing greats including Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard, joining the Prime Ministers of Portugal and Britain in mourning the loss.

Friday’s match between Al-Hilal and Fluminense in Orlando began with players and fans observing a minute’s silence in memory of Jota and Andre.

Neves, one of Jota’s closest friends who played with the 28-year-old during their days at Wolverhampton Wanderers, issued a touching tribute on Instagram about an hour before kick-off.

“Wherever you are, I know you’re going to read this, we’ve never been one for this sort of thing and maybe now I’ll regret it a little, but you know what you mean to me just as much as I know what I am to you,” Neves said

“More than a friendship, we’re family, and we’re not going to stop being family just because you’ve decided to sign a contract a little further away from us!

“When I go to the national team, you’ll still be by my side at the dinner table, on the bus, on the plane… you’ll always be there with me, as usual. We’ll keep laughing, making plans, sharing our lives with each other.

“I’ll make sure you’re always there and I’ll make sure your family never lacks anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us …

“As of today, you’ll be on the pitch with me, and we’ll follow our path together, on the stage where we met.”

Chelsea’s Portuguese forward Pedro Neto also paid a heartfelt tribute to his friends when he walked out on the field with a shirt bearing their names before their quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadephia.

“We spoke with Pedro yesterday and this morning and this afternoon and it was completely Pedro’s decision to play or not to play,” Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said after his team’s 2-1 win.

“He did, he made a fantastic effort to play this game, to play with his teammates, and we really appreciate what he has done.

“I just said to the players that this win is especially for him because we know how close he was, and the effort that he has made. So no doubt that we really appreciate what he decided in the end.”

The funerals of the brothers are expected to take place on Saturday at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) in the Portuguese town of Gondomar.

-Reuters

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The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Peter Rufai, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the entire Nigerian football community following the passing of the former Super Eagles captain.

Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” died on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the age of 61. Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s finest goalkeepers, Rufai represented the country at two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998) and multiple Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, including captaining the team to its historic 1994 AFCON victory in Tunisia.

In a condolence message issued by CAF, Dr Motsepe praised Rufai as a trailblazer and icon of African football who brought pride to both Nigeria and the continent at large.

“Peter Rufai is part of a special generation of African football players who made the people of Nigeria and the entire African continent very proud,” said Dr Motsepe. “He was an enormously talented footballer and was respected in Africa and globally.”

Dr Motsepe extended the sympathies of CAF and its 54 Member Associations to Rufai’s family, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, Rufai’s former teammates, and all Nigerians mourning the loss.

“‘Dodo Mayana’ will forever live in our hearts and minds. May his soul rest in peace,” the CAF President concluded.

Rufai’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the football world, a testament to the enduring legacy of a player who not only excelled on the pitch but also inspired a generation of African footballers.

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