Peter Rufai

Peter Rufai

Personal information
Date of birth	(1963-08-24) 24 August 1963
Place of birth	Lagos, Nigeria
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1980–1984	Stationery Stores
1985	Femo Scorpions
1986–1987	Dragons de l'Ouémé
1987–1991	Lokeren	6	(0)
1991–1993	Beveren
1993–1994	Go Ahead Eagles	12	(0)
1994–1997	Farense	62	(0)
1997	Hércules	10	(0)
1997–1999	Deportivo La Coruña	9	(0)
1999–2000	Gil Vicente	1	(0)
International career
1983–1998	Nigeria	65	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Peter Rufai (born 24 August 1963) is a Nigerian retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

He competed professionally in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, in a senior career that lasted twenty years.

Rufai represented Nigeria in two World Cups and as many Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Club career

Born in Lagos, 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.

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

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 to 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 win against CD Tenerife (1–0), as the Cameroonian was suspended. 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.

International career

Rufai played 65 international matches for Nigeria, and represented the nation at two FIFA World Cups, always as starter: 1994 (Nigeria's first ever appearance, where he also acted as captain) and 1998, also helping the Super Eagles win the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.

On 24 July 1993, during a CAN qualifier against Ethiopia, Rufai scored his country's last goal from a penalty kick, in a 6–0 home win.

Personal life

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

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

External links

• Peter Rufai at footballzz.co.uk
• Peter Rufai profile at ForaDeJogo
• Peter Rufai profile at BDFutbol
• Peter Rufai at National-Football-Teams.com
• Peter Rufai – FIFA competition record