Taribo West Condemns Neglect Of Football Legends At Peter Rufai’s Funeral.
Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West delivered a heartfelt and scathing critique of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State authorities during the funeral of legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai, vowing never to encourage his son to play football for Nigeria. Speaking at the service of songs in Lagos on 22 August 2025, West expressed profound grief over the lack of support for Rufai’s family, describing the situation as a “national shame” and a stark example of the neglect faced by Nigeria’s football heroes.
Peter Rufai, affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” passed away on 3 July 2025 at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness. A towering figure in Nigerian football, he was the first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and Nigeria’s debut at the FIFA World Cup in the same year. His death prompted tributes from across the football world, but West highlighted the absence of institutional support for Rufai’s family, who were forced to solicit funds from private groups to cover burial expenses. “Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” West said, visibly emotional.
West, a former Inter Milan and AC Milan star, recounted the personal toll of Rufai’s passing, noting that while he did not shed tears for his own parents’ deaths, Rufai’s loss left him with “goose pimples” and “tears rolling down my cheeks.” He questioned the functionality of Nigeria’s football authorities, asking, “Do we have a Football Federation or a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way?” He drew parallels with other late Super Eagles legends, including Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, whose contributions, he claimed, were similarly disregarded.
The ex-defender’s remarks have sparked widespread discussion, with many Nigerians echoing his sentiments about the neglect of former athletes. However, former Super Eagles star Waidi Akanni countered West’s claims, confirming that the Lagos State Government provided N15 million to Rufai’s family, alongside donations from the Lagos State Football Association and other individuals. Despite this, West’s emotional outcry has reignited calls for a structured welfare system for retired footballers, with stakeholders urging the NFF and the Ministry of Sports to establish pension and insurance schemes to support Nigeria’s sporting heroes.
Rufai’s funeral, held on 22 August 2025 at the Catholic Church of Visitation in Festac Town, Lagos, followed by interment at Ikoyi Cemetery, was attended by former teammates and well-wishers. His daughter, Confidence, revealed that her father’s illness was kept private due to his preference for a quiet life, adding that he was a selfless Nigerian who gave everything for his country. West’s impassioned speech underscored the need for systemic change to honour the legacy of players like Rufai, who dedicated their lives to Nigerian football.