In the last nine years, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have seen four keepers stand between the sticks and it feels like the country is still searching for a reliable hand like Peter Rufai in goal.
Since the retirement of former number one, Vincent Enyeama and the unexpected retirement of Carl Ikeme, Nigeria is still searching for a reliable number one.
When you think about the Nigerian goalkeeping space, one name that comes to mind unconsciously is the name, Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana during his playing days.
According to the Nigerian legend, he strongly believes he has the solution to the goalkeeping plague befalling the Nigerian team.
“I am ready for them to show them techniques of goalkeeping. I am waiting to be one of the coaches sometime, someday.” Rufai confidently said in an interview with ace broadcaster Mitchell Obi.
Rufai who was beaming with joy as he celebrated his diamond jubilee believed that with him at the helm of affairs, ensuring the fundamentals of the art of goalkeeping would be treated with utmost importance. He reckons that the goalkeeping department needs a “sophisticated and scientific addition to what we know already.”
For Rufai talent is not enough, instilling the knowledge of the art remains the lacuna the national team needs to fill.
In his active days, the legendary Peter Rufai rocked the goal with exceptional form between 1983 – 1998.
Furthermore, Rufai stated that he was launching a book in October alongside prominent journalist, Mumini Alao. He explained that the book narrated the highs and lows of his journey as Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper.