Years Team 1985 Femo Scorpions Role Footballer | Playing position Name Peter Rufai Height 1.87 m | |
Date of birth (1963-08-24) 24 August 1963 (age 52) | ||
Peter Rufai at African Nations Cup 1994
Peter Rufai (born 24 August 1963) is a Nigerian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Contents
- Peter Rufai at African Nations Cup 1994
- FORMER SUPER EAGLES STARS GODWIN OPARA PETER RUFAI VICTOR IKPEBA AND JOE ERICO SPEAK ON ROHRS EAG
- Club career
- International career
- Personal life
- References
He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted twenty years.
Rufai represented Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
FORMER SUPER EAGLES STARS GODWIN OPARA, PETER RUFAI, VICTOR IKPEBA AND JOE ERICO SPEAK ON ROHR'S EAG
Club career
Born in Lagos, Rufai started his career in his country, playing with Stationery Stores F.C. and Femo Scorpions. In 1986 he moved to Benin, with AS Dragons FC de l'Oueme.
At a more professional level Rufai spent six years in Belgium, with K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen and K.S.K. Beveren, although he appeared sparingly. In the 1993–94 season he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th in the Eredivisie.
In 1994, Rufai started a Portuguese adventure with S.C. Farense. In his first year, he was instrumental as the Algarve side only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches, qualifying to the UEFA Cup for the first time ever. His solid performances earned him a transfer to La Liga, but he struggled to start for lowly Hercules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation.
However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruna the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo'o, for two seasons – this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home win against CD Tenerife (1–0), as the Cameroonian was suspended. He then returned to Portugal for one final year, with modest Gil Vicente FC, also being second-choice.
In 2003 Rufai returned to Spain, settling in the country and opening a goalkeeper's school.
International career
Rufai played 65 international matches for Nigeria, and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria's first ever appearance, where he also acted as captain) and 1998, also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.
On 24 July 1993, during a CAN qualifier against Ethiopia, Rufai scored his country's last goal from a penalty kick, in a 6–0 home win.