By KUNLE SOLAJA.
The funeral arrangements of former Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, who died on 3rd July, will begin on Thursday.
Coincidentally, it is the 92nd anniversary of the actual foundation of the Nigerian football ruling body, which erroneously believed it was founded on an unknown date in 1945 instead of 21 August 1933.
According to details released by the family, the programme will open with a service of songs and the presentation of Rufai’s biography at the Raji Rasaki Estate field, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm.
The funeral mass will be held the next day, Friday at the Catholic Church of Visitation, First Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos. Interment will follow at Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos. On Sunday, there will be thanks Thanksgiving service at the Catholic Church of Visitation.
The following day, Friday, August 22, a funeral mass will be held at the Catholic Church of Visitation, First Avenue, Festac Town, after which Rufai will be laid to rest at the Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos.
The rites will conclude on Sunday, August 24, with a thanksgiving service at the Catholic Church of Visitation in Festac Town.
Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,” was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers, representing the country at two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998) and winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.
