Peter Rufai (born August 24, 1963 in Lagos) is a former Nigerian footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.

[edit] Club career

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'Ouémé, becoming the first player in his position to play abroad.

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 1993–94, he played 12 matches for Dutch neighbours Go Ahead Eagles, which finished 12th.

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 for 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 Hércules CF during his stay, in an eventual relegation.

However, Rufai signed with established Deportivo de La Coruña the ensuing summer, backing up another African, Jacques Songo'o, for two seasons - this included keeping a clean sheet in a January 1998 home success against CD Tenerife (1–0), as the Cameroonian was suspended.^[1] 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.^[1]

[edit] International career

Rufai played 65 international matches for Nigeria, scoring once, and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 and 1998,^[2] also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Nations Cup, in Tunisia.^[3]

[edit] Personal

• Rufai was the son of a tribal king in the region of Idimu. In early 1998, as his father passed away, he was allowed by his club (Deportivo) to return to Nigeria to discuss the succession, but turned down the status for himself.^[1]

• His oldest son, Senbaty, played as a midfielder, having tried for Sunshine Stars in the Nigerian Premier League.^[4]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• NigerianPlayers profile
• Stats and profile at Zerozero
• BDFutbol profile
• FIFA.com stats
• NationalFootballTeams data

Nigeria Squads v • d • e Nigeria squad – 1994 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai • 2 Eguavoen • 3 Iroha • 4 Keshi • 5 Okechukwu • 6 Nwanu • 7 George • 8 Oliha • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Amuneke • 12 Siasia • 13 Ezeugo • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Agu • 17 Ikpeba • 18 Ekoku • 19 Emenalo • 20 Okafor • 21 Adepoju • 22 Agbonavbare • Coach: Westerhof v • d • e Nigeria squad – 1998 FIFA World Cup 1 Rufai • 2 Oparaku • 3 Babayaro • 4 Kanu • 5 Uche • 6 West • 7 Finidi • 8 Adepoju • 9 Yekini • 10 Okocha • 11 Lawal • 12 W. Okpara • 13 Babangida • 14 Amokachi • 15 Oliseh • 16 Okafor • 17 Eguavoen • 18 Oruma • 19 Iroha • 20 Ikpeba • 21 G. Okpara • 22 Baruwa • Coach: Milutinović