Local News

“I Was Driving”: Eguavoen Remembers Rufai

Nigerians received the devastating news of Super Eagles legend Peter Rufai’s passing on July 3.

Rufai played a key role in Nigeria’s 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and featured for the Super Eagles at the Fifa World Cups in 1994 and 1998.

The flamboyant goalkeeper, who had a 17-year spell with Nigeria’s senior team, had reportedly been battling an illness for several weeks before passing away in a Lagos hospital around 6:00 a.m. on Thursday.

A product of Stationery Stores, Rufai played in Spain for Hércules and Deportivo de La Coruña, and also wore the colours of Dragons de l’Ouémé, Lokeren, Beveren, Go Ahead Eagles, Farense and Gil Vicente.

Former Super Eagles coach and Rufai’s teammate Augustine Eguavoen has paid an emotional tribute to the legendary goalkeeper, recalling the heartbreaking moment he received the news while driving home from work.

“Shocking, I was driving, I was on the highway back from the office to the house when the news came,” Eguavoen told Channels Television on Friday.

“I’m not somebody who drives so fast anyway, drive about 80 or 100km/h and immediately I went down to 20km/h.

“I was driving so slow, reminiscing, it was quite shocking. At some point I had to pull over and put my thoughts together, and try to dig deep a little bit, call one or two colleagues, and they were not 100 percent sure.

“This morning, it was all over the news when Taribo and Waidi Akanni called me and confirmed. It was quite painful, devastating honestly speaking.”

Reflecting on Rufai’s personality, Eguavoen spoke fondly of the man affectionately known as Dodo Mayana.

“Dodo was a fun guy, a pure professional. When having fun, if it’s time for business he changes his attitude, and he was an easygoing person, jokes a lot.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are small or big. I remember one time we travelled to Thailand. We had a lot of home-based players in the team including Baudwin Bazueye, the way he related to them.

“They kept saying they didn’t know Rufai was down to earth. I said you’ve never met him, that’s who he is for you.

“Myself and Dodo were very close and it’s quite emotional right now, difficult to actually say something because it’s really fresh in my mind.”

Eguavoen also highlighted Rufai’s ever-cheerful demeanour and trustworthy character.

“He was ever smiling, somebody to be trusted. We had this relationship because every time we see he reminds me of a lot of games we played together.

“We became close when I was in Bendel Insurance, and then we started working together towards Tunisia 1994 and we really bonded well – the entire team – but a couple of us were extraordinary because we were in Belgium together for a little while before he moved to Holland, and then to Spain and Portugal.

“We talked at least twice a month, so that’s how close we were. I want to wish the family the strength to be able to swallow this bitter pill – for every football follower in this country, even in Africa.”

On how Rufai should be honoured, the former Nigeria coach called for tangible recognition of the goalkeeper’s legacy.

“Before I left the office this afternoon, I was speaking with Nasiru, because I was out there trying to look at our U15 boys because that’s the next U17 team.

“He should be immortalised, Dodo is an icon. A stadium or statue should be erected somewhere, it won’t be too much.

“From the information we got, he was quite ill and if he spoke out and needed N100 million, I don’t think Nigerians would be silent.

“One or two persons would raise that money. It’s quite unfortunate what happened has happened.”

Eguavoen recalled that the last time he saw Peter Rufai was during an event that brought together several former teammates.

“That was on the phone but when we came in contact was last year because of ‘Work for Life’ organised by Redeem.

“Dodo called on all of us, we all trooped in there. We went for a real long walk and had fun after that.

“The last edition we were all together. Some were in Ikoyi. After that it was always on the phone, so that was my last contact with him physically, but on the phone was about a month ago.”

Peter Rufai’s passing marks the sixth loss from Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup squad, following Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Wilfred Agbonavbare, Thompson Oliha and Uche Okafor.

Allnigeriasoccer.com

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Local News

Iconic ’96 Nigeria Kit: Elba, Chalamet Lead Celebrity Wearers

The Super Eagles won the gold medal in Men’s Football at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, but the success of that tournament has soared beyond football, according to Soccernet.ng.

The three-time AFCON Champions had a prolific squad in that competition, to which some argue is the greatest ever team produced by the Nation.

Stars like Daniel Amokachi, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Jay-Jay Okocha, and Celestine Babayaro were part of the team at the time.

While the jersey signifies success for many Nigerians, the custom replica produced by Nike has also been making waves in the fashion world.

Hollywood movie star, Timothée Chalamet, was recently spotted with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, at the Shellona Beach in Saint-Tropez, France.

The 29-year-old donned the retro green and white kit, alongside a bandana that carried these same colours.

Away from Mr Chamalet, other popular figures have also been seen in the retro 1996 Super Eagles kit.

One of those is Fast and Furious actor, Idris Elba. The versatile Brit also doubles as a musician and an event host. He was the host of the 2017 FIFA Best Awards that saw superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Dani Alves, Marcelo, and Neymar pick up awards.

The Arsenal fan was seen wearing the Super Eagles retro kit two years ago at Wimbledon’s star-studded Men’s Final.

Famous Twitch streamer, Kai Cenat, also donned the Nigerian retro kit. This time, in Lagos. The American visited Nigeria to collaborate with creatives, and ended up contributing financially to the growth in education children in the slum area of Makoko.

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Local News

CAF Probes Algeria Ahead Of Super Falcons Clash

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially opened an investigation into the Algerian Women’s National Team over alleged breaches of CAF Statutes and Regulations during the ongoing 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

In a brief statement released on Thursday, CAF confirmed that the probe was initiated following reported violations linked to Algeria’s conduct at the tournament.

While the specific nature of the alleged offences was not disclosed, it comes amid growing scrutiny surrounding Algeria’s actions off the pitch, including political tensions affecting the competition’s atmosphere.

“CAF has opened an investigation against the Algerian Women’s National Team on alleged violations of the CAF Statutes and Regulations during the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024,” the statement read.

CAF added that it would not provide further comment until the investigation process is complete.

The development emerges just days before Algeria face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in a crucial final group-stage match.

Algeria during an International Friendly match between the Nigeria Super Falcons and the Algeria Green Ladies
Algeria during an International Friendly match between the Nigeria Super Falcons and the Algeria Green Ladies CAF’s decision to step in appears to be a response to growing concerns over how such actions might undermine the integrity and unity of African football competitions.

Soccernet.ng

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Local News

Finidi Questions Osayi-Samuel’s Birmingham Move

Former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George has expressed surprise at Bright Osayi-Samuel’s decision to leave Turkish giants Fenerbahçe for English Championship side Birmingham City, according to Soccernet.ng.

The former Ajax star, who donned the colours of the Dutch club from 1993 to 1996, suggested the defender could have aimed higher at this stage of his career.

Osayi-Samuel recently signed a three-year deal with Birmingham City after declining a contract extension at Fenerbahçe, where he was a regular under several managers.

The move has drawn mixed reactions from the Nigerian football community, with Finidi joining those who expected the 27-year-old to remain in top-flight European football rather than a newly promoted EFL Championship club.

“I really do not know his motive for not renewing with Fenerbahçe and going back to England,” Finidi said to Footy Africa.

“For me, I think players should be aiming high while they still have the energy and age on their side to play at the highest level. That is what I was expecting from Bright (Osayi-Samuel).

“He is a good player who I believe can play in the big leagues and with big clubs — with due respect to Birmingham City.”

Despite his concerns, Finidi downplayed suggestions that the move to a second-tier side could affect Osayi-Samuel’s place in the Nigerian national team.

The former Ajax winger praised the defender’s performances for the Super Eagles and insisted that club level should not be a determining factor if the player continues to deliver on international duty.

“No, I do not think it will affect him in any way in the Super Eagles because he is already a regular player in the team. He has demonstrated that he can play, and he fits in properly, giving his best anytime he is called upon,” Finidi added.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be aiming to secure a World Cup ticket later this year, followed by a strong campaign at the 2025 AFCON tournament.

Despite his move to a second-tier club, the Nigerian international is still expected to play a key role in Eric Chelle’s squad.

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