Daughter of former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana, has expressed how much she misses her father.
The 61-year-old died on July 3 after a brief illness.
Funeral rites began on Thursday with a service of songs and the unveiling of his biography at the Raji Rasaki Estate field in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.
On Friday, a funeral Mass was held at the Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac Town. Clergy, family, former teammates and dignitaries gathered to pay their respects before the football legend was interred at Ikoyi Cemetery.
In his sermon, Father Simon Okezin urged the government to prioritise basic amenities, especially hospitals, to prevent needless deaths.
Rufai’s daughter Confidence described her father as meticulous, disciplined and private.
The young woman appeared in a football jersey and gloves, dressed like a goalkeeper in tribute to her father.
“There will never be enough words to say goodbye. You will never have enough words to express how you feel towards a parent.
“My father was a very sweet person. He was very sweet, he was a disciplinarian. He was very tough, he was private.
“When my mother passed I understood more what love was all about… Now that my father has passed away, I can say that I love them both with an understanding of being a parent myself.
“We will miss him so much. Whenever I remember my tough path I remember him. When I discipline my kids sometimes I remember my father. He will be remembered for so many things,” she said.
Former teammate Sylvanus ‘Quicksilver’ Okpala recalled their early years together. “I met him finally… we became very close … determined … passionate for the game,” he said.
Ex-international Waidi Akanni explained that the Lagos State government supported the burial and that ex-players rallied round the family. He praised Odion Ighalo for his swift help. “We, as ex-players, need to set that aside and do our part,” he said.
The ceremonies will end on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the same Festac church.
Rufai, who had 65 caps for Nigeria, represented the country at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and was part of the squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.
He was also a prince of Idimu, Lagos, but turned down the throne to pursue football.
At the funeral, former Super Eagles defender Taribo West berated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State Government, saying Rufai’s family had to beg for money to bury him.
“Imagine a family crying and begging among themselves just to raise money to bury a national hero. That is madness,” Taribo said.
The NFF later issued a statement insisting it supported the family during the burial and honoured Rufai’s legacy.
