Peter Rufai: Nigerian Man Releases Last WhatsApp Chat With Goalkeeper Before He Died
- A Nigerian man has mourned the unfortunate demise of Peter Rufai, a former goalkeeper for the Super Eagles of Nigeria
- In a heartbreaking post on X, he shared the last WhatsApp chat he had with the football legend before his demise
- Netizens, especially football enthusiasts, have taken turns to send condolence messages to the family of the deceased
A Nigerian man paid tribute to the late Peter Rufai, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, following his death.
The emotional post shared on X sparked condolence messages from football fans and enthusiasts.
Source: Twitter
Man releases WhatsApp chat with Peter Rufai
The man, known on X as @ginjartv, shared a WhatsApp conversation he had with the football legend before his demise.
In the chat, it appeared that he was trying to invite Peter Rufai to an event that was coming up soon.
"Please listen when you're free," he told Peter Rufai after sending a voice note.
Peter Rufai responded, inquiring about the event's schedule and promising to add it to his agenda.
"When exactly is the event coming up? Will record into my agenda," he said.
In his emotional post, Ginjartv bid a final farewell to the legendary goalkeeper and thanked him for believing in him.
Source: Twitter
He said:
"Rest in Peace to a Legend & a Brother, Peter Rufai aka Dodo Mayansa, Thank you for all the beautiful memories & for believing in me, i swear this one hit me well, but regardless i go strong face because Legends no dey die, Until we meet again."
Reactions as netizens mourn Peter Rufai
Nigerians mourned the loss of the beloved former goalkeeper, celebrating his legacy and the impact he had while he was alive.
Jbdevolver said:
"He passed? O my! May God comfort his family."
Thiababy4 said:
"I’m so sorry for your loss."
Kalusha said:
"Please accept my heartfelt condolences to the entire Nigerian & African football family, for the unexpected loss of legendary goalkeeper, Peter Rufai. Let us remember how he skillfully saved everything we threw his way during the AFCON Final in 1994. Rest in peace, Champion."
Sunday Oliseh said:
"We lost a gigantic legend, my team mate,room mate and a friend, Peter Rufai. This has been deeply painful to digest and i slept badly! "Dodomayana" Thanks for all the jokes,safes and advice. God bless. we miss you already . R.I.P Bro."
Deji said:
"RIP PETER RUFAI Dodo Manyana! What a loss. I only got close to Peter Rufai in the last few years as he was a major part of AFROSPORT Broadcast of the last AFCON. I pray strength for his family and loved ones. Rest on Dodo Mayana- a true legend of the game."
Mutiu added:
"A dark day in football. We have lost a colleague, a brother, and an African legend, Peter Rufai, Our Dodo Mayana. I’m still in shock, and it’s incredibly hard to process this painful news. RIPPeterRufai."
See the post below:
Peter Rufai's outstanding performances
In 1993, the late goalkeeper scored a fantastic goal against Ethiopia during a penalty shootout. That is one of the highlights of his skills, Premium Times reports.
During the 1994 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Rufai made beautiful saves, contributing greatly to the Nigerian team lifting the tournament's cup. The keeper has been described as a shot-stopper.
The world-renowned goalkeeper played in two FIFA World Cups in 1994 (USA) and 1998 (France) as he helped the team to make the round of 16 on both occasions.
The footballer also had an outstanding performance in a match against Spain in 1998, as he displayed an outstanding wealth of experience.
In Europe, the late Rufai played in the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and Spain. In Belgium, he had a six-year run. In Spanish football clubs, he was a dependable backup.
Rufai’s composure made him natural leader - Expert
A sports psychologist, Adekunle Ayodele Olusola, has praised late Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai for the calm authority he brought to football.
The instructor at the Nigeria Institute of Sports told Legit.ng:
"Rufai's commanding presence and calm demeanor during high-pressure situations made him a natural leader both on and off the field. Nigerian fans appreciate having a representative who carried himself with dignity and professionalism, never losing composure even in the most challenging circumstances."
Lady shares her experience with Peter Rufai
In a related development, Legit.ng reported that a young Nigerian lady also mourned Peter Rufai.
In a post shared via the X app, she remembered her experience with the goalkeeper in 2019, when he came to her school, Yabatech.
Joseph Omotayo, the HoD of the Human Interest Desk, contributed to this report, adding some of the sterling performances of Peter Rufai as an active footballer.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a sports expert for this report.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Ankrah Shalom (Human-Interest editor) Shalom Ankrah is a journalist and a Human Interest Editor at Legit.ng with over six years of experience. She has a degree in Mass communication from Alex Ekwueme University. Shalom has worked with reputable news organizations including The Tide and GistReel. Email: ankrah.shalom@corp.legit.ng.
Adekunle Ayodele Olusola (Sports Psychologist and Mental Performance Expert) Dr Adekunle Ayodele Olusola, is a lecturer in the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Lagos. Specialising in emotional regulation and mental skills training, he helps athletes achieve peak performance. He also teaches sports psychology at the Nigeria Institute of Sports and has numerous publications on therapy, physical exercise, and mental preparation for athletic excellence.
