Taribo West says he will never advise his son to play for Nigeria
Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has strongly criticized the Nigeria Football Federation and the Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai. Speaking during Rufai’s burial in a video shared by News Central, West expressed sadness over how Nigerian football heroes are neglected after their death.
He described the situation as heartbreaking, saying the burden of burial expenses was left on Rufai’s family instead of being supported by the authorities. According to him, such treatment shows there is little value placed on the sacrifices made by players who once represented the nation with pride.
West, who played for Inter Milan in his career, said he was deeply shaken by Rufai’s death. He recalled that even though he did not shed tears when his own parents died, he wept bitterly when Rufai passed away, asking what kind of nation abandons its sporting legends.
The ex-defender also pointed out that this was not the first time Nigerian footballers were neglected after death. He mentioned similar cases involving Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, stressing that this repeated neglect has discouraged him from encouraging his own children to serve the country through football.
“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to play for Nigeria. Can you imagine that Rufai’s family had to beg for financial support from friends and groups just to bury him? That is shameful,” he lamented.
West added that the authorities should have honored Rufai, describing him as a “hero, soldier, and football evangelist” who gave his all for the country. Instead, he said Rufai’s family was left struggling, which he described as “madness.”
Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana, was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, which the Super Eagles won, and also played at the country’s first FIFA World Cup the same year.
He died in July 2025, leaving behind memories of his outstanding contribution to Nigerian football.
