Remembering Peter Rufai and his intriguing spells in Europe

 

Peter Rufai, one of Africa’s best goalkeepers in history, who has just passed away recently, had a couple of intriguing stints in Europe.

The former Nigerian international goalkeeper in the 1990s has reportedly departed following his illness lately. It is another piece of devastating news in football, as another footballer, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota, has just lost his life due to a car crash.

Rufai was one of several former Nigerian squad members in the 1994 FIFAWorld Cup who had gone from this world. The other names were Stephen Keshi, Uche Okafor, and Wilfred Agbonavbare. During his playing years, the goalie who appeared in two FIFA World Cup editions, 1994 and 1998, had several spells in Europe. Although he was mainly named understudy, he had some notable moments worth remembering in his career at the club level, beside his performance with the Super Eagles in major international tournaments.

Here are the highlights of the shot stopper who had royal blood from the Idimu tribe. He had stints in Belgium, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Spain throughout his career in Europe.

Belgium (Lokeren & Beveren)

Peter Rufai started off his European venture in Belgium back in 1987. He left Benin’s Dragons de l’Oueme to sign for KSC Lokeren. The goalkeeper, who was also known for his nickname ‘Dodo Mayana,’ spent four years there but only managed to play six games. He was fielded once in 1987/88 in the match versus RC Liège. Lokeren ended the game as the losing side following their 3-0 defeat.

In the second season, 1988/89, Rufai had more chances to showcase his quality. He got a nod in five matches consecutively from round 28 to round 32 in the Belgian top division, which enabled him to play alongside his teammate in the Nigerian national team, the forward Samson Siasia. Sadly, he was sent off in the last game versus KRC Genk. It was literally his last match in Belgium, as he never got another opportunity to hit the pitch.

He switched sides to their rivals, KSK Beveren, in 1991 but never managed to play a single game for his new team. Nevertheless, he stayed there for two years. Overall, during his stint in Belgium, he made six appearances and three clean sheets.

Clubs	Matches (clean sheet)	Notable games
KSC Lokeren (1987-1991)	6 (3)	vs KSV Weregem  2-1
KSK Beveren (1991-1993)	-

 Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles)

Dodo Mayana’s next stint was in the neighbouring league, Dutch Eredivisie. He joined another modest side, Go Ahead Eagles in summer 1993. The late shot-stopper who began his professional career with Stationery Stores in 1980 was able to gain more minutes and played in 12 games. He already made his debut in matchday two versus one of the giants, PSV Eindhoven. They suffered 3-0 defeat.

Rufai got a nod again in eleven more matches, all in Portuguese league. Overall, he appeared in 12 games with seven clean sheets. His contribution also helped his team, which was at that time led by the former Chelsea and Barcelona assistant manager, Henk Ten Cate, finish 12^th in the standings. His fairly impressive form did attract some other clubs to get sign him. Rufai’s stint in Holland was not as long as expected.

Clubs	Matches (clean sheet)	Notable games
Go Ahead Eagles Deventer (1993/1994)	12 (7)	vs FC Utrecht 4-0 (H) vs Roda JC 3-1 (H) vs NAC Breda 0-0 (H)

Portugal (Farense & Gli Vicente)

He finally found his place where he played regularly in Portugal. Dodo Mayana signed for Portuguese top division outfit, Farense in 1994. It did not take long for him to secure the spot as the first choice. Rufai contributed to his team finish on a high note in the first season. Farense managed to sit fifth at the end of the campaign and seal one spot in UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history. They only conceded 38 goals in 34 matches.

In the second season, Rufai and his team failed to replicate their impressive campaign. They were only able to finish on 13^th place, despite some stunning results, such as an away 1-0 win over Benfica in Da Luz and a 2-0 victory while taking on Boavista. The former was one of Dodo Mayana’s notable game of the season. He was able to keep the home side at bay and the clean sheet, plus making three clinical saves to help his team snatch an important win on the road.

In their continental campaign, the goalie who was the founder of Staruf Football Academy in Lagos back in 2009, was unable to get Farense through at the latter stage. They immediately headed to the exit in the first round following their 2-0 loss on aggregate versus Lyon.

In his final season, Rufai only played in 13 games as he switched sides to Spanish La Liga outfit, Hercules CF in the 1997 winter transfer window. After his stint in Spain, he returned to Portugal one last time before he retired. The Lagos-born shot-stopper joined the mid-table, Gil Vicente in summer 1999. He played in one fixture only throughout his season there, as his team trounced Maritimo 5-1. In total, Rufai made 63 appearances for both clubs.

Clubs	Matches (clean sheet)	Notable games
Farense (1994-1997)	62 (??)	vs Benfica 4-1 (H) -1994/95 vs Benfica 1-0 (A) – 1995/96 vs Boavista 2-0 (H) – 1995/96 vs Sporting Lisbon 0-0 (A) 1996/97
Gil Vicente (1999-2000)	1 (-)	vs Maritimo 5-1 (H)

Spain (Hercules CF & Deportivo La Coruna)

Rufai earned his move to the top level at the age of 34 already when the relegation struggler, Hercules Alicante CF was in need of experienced goalie to salvage their campaign. Unfortunately, he was not able to do much to keep them in the top flight.

He only played in 11 games and resulted two wins and one draw only. However, Rufai put on quite a show in one of the important match against Sir Bobby Robson’s Barcelona. Taking on the star studded side, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Luis Figo in it, Hercules did not start off well as expected. In fact, they conceded due to the rebound from Rufai’s poor clearance. The current PSG boss, Luis Enrique slotted home to give Blaugrana the early lead.Nevertheless, Gabriel Amato and Co did not give in and managed to bounce back to secure a 2-1win. Dodo Manyan did his part by making two saves to find his redemption. 

Sadly, such triumph did not help much of their campaign. They only could climb one spot on the 20^th before going back again following their loss to Real Valladolid. Their last win over Athletic Bilbao was in vain. Yet, Rufai did not get a nod in the last two games.

Despite his team’s relegation, he did not have to play in Segunda Division as one of the top side at that time, Deportivo La Coruna, came on knocking the door. Rufai signed for the Galician side and stayed for two seasons, although he mainly became the second fiddle to Cameroon’s Jacques Songo’o.

Rufai’s chance to hit the pitch came on the round 19 against Sporting Gijon. He came off the bench following Songo’o’s expulsion in the 3^rd minute. The current Argentina boss, Lionel Scaloni was sacrificed for bringing him up. La Coruna clinched a 2-1 win in the end.

He was then fielded for another nine games, eight in the league and one match in Copa del Rey. Some of the notable fixtures when he was between the stick was a 2-2 draw versus Real Madrid, 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao and 2-1 victory against Real Zaragoza.

After his retirement, Dodo Mayana did make his return to Spain in 2003. The goalie who contributed heavily in Super Eagles’ victorious campaign in 1994 AFCON was settling there and opened a goalkeeper school. He was reportedly travelling throughout the country to coach the kids and teenagers in the grassroots level for goalkeeping.  

Clubs	Matches (clean sheet)	Notable games
Hercules CF (1997)	11 (3)	vs Barcelona 2-1 (H)
Deportivo La Coruna (1997-1999)	10 (3)	vs Athletic Bilbao 3-0 (H) – 1997/98 vs Real Zaragoza 2-1 (H) – 1997/98