OBITUARY
NPFL Mourns Peter Rufai, Hails Late Goalkeeper as a True Legend of Nigerian Football
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, describing his death as a monumental loss to the Nigerian football community.
Rufai, a former goalkeeper for the iconic Lagos club, Stationery Stores, and a key figure in Nigeria’s international football history, was reported to have died on Thursday from an undisclosed ailment.
In a statement, NPFL Chairman Gbenga Elegbeleye paid tribute to the late football icon, recalling his immense contributions both on and off the pitch.
“Rufai was a true gentleman and a great ambassador of our league.
“He remained committed to the growth of domestic football and was always willing to lend his presence and voice to NPFL events, including workshops and fixture draws,” Elegbeleye said.
He praised Rufai for his inspirational role to younger players, especially those aspiring to follow in his footsteps from the domestic league to international stardom.
“To the younger generation of players, he was a big brother and mentor. He started from the home league like many of them and went on to play in Europe and at the highest level for Nigeria,” Elegbeleye noted.
“Even after retirement, he remained active in the football community, organizing goalkeeping boot camps to train and mentor upcoming talents.”
Elegbeleye extended the NPFL’s condolences to Rufai’s immediate family, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and the wider Nigerian sports family, stating that, “Nigeria has lost a legend.”
Peter Rufai’s illustrious career spanned over a decade and a half in the national team, beginning with his debut in a friendly match in December 1981. He was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper at three Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments—helping the country to silver medals in 1984 and 1988 and playing a pivotal role in the historic 1994 triumph in Tunisia.
Renowned for his charisma, discipline, and flamboyant style, Rufai also represented Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals, earning the admiration of fans and peers alike.
Until his death, Rufai remained committed to youth development in Nigerian football, using his post-playing years to discover and nurture emerging goalkeeping talents.
His death marks the end of an era, but his legacy lives on in the countless lives he impacted in Nigerian football.
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Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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