Taribo West (L) slammed Nigeria for abandoning the late Peter Rufai (R)
Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West has launched a blistering attack on Nigerian authorities over their handling of the passing of legendary goalkeeper Peter Rufai, accusing both the government and football bodies of abandoning their heroes.
Rufai, who died on July 3, 2025, is currently being laid to rest with funeral rites taking place across Lagos.
But according to Taribo, the responsibility of funding and organizing the ceremonies has been left almost entirely on the family, a situation he described as “madness.”
Nigerian football legend Peter Rufai dies aged 61
“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for. That’s why I say I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It’s grieving,” Taribo said.
Visibly emotional, the former Inter Milan star admitted Rufai’s death touched him deeply.
“My mother passed on, I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands, I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. For every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks,” he added.
Taribo did not mince words about Nigeria’s football authorities, calling out leaders of the country for what he calls as neglect.
“What kind of nation is this? I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Do we have a football association in Lagos State? Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness,” he said.
Rufai, popularly known as “Dodo Mayana”, was one of Nigeria’s most decorated goalkeepers, remembered for guiding the Super Eagles to the 1994 AFCON title and appearing at two FIFA World Cups.
Watch the interview below:
💔 ‘I’ll never advise even my son to put his feet for Nigeria’
🇳🇬 Taribo West at Peter Rufai’s funeral#JoySports 🎥 @NewsCentralTV pic.twitter.com/jdEG7ZMjMA
— #JoySports (@JoySportsGH) August 22, 2025
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