Ex-Super Eagles Star, Taribo West Vows Never To Advise His Son To Play For Nigeria

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has criticized the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) 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 on Friday, the former Inter Milan star expressed anger over the neglect of Nigerian football legends after their death.

Taribo West explained how deeply Rufai’s death affected him, noting that he didn’t cry when his own parents passed away, but Rufai’s passing left him shaken.

“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.

“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. And every individual I’m speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?” he said.

West compared Rufai’s case with the treatment given to other late football icons such as Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha, saying that the pattern has discouraged him from ever encouraging his children to play for Nigeria.

“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness. Look, please let me go. I don’t want to pour my heart,” he stated.

Peter Rufai, popularly known as “Dodo Mayana,” was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory and also manned the post when the Super Eagles made their debut at the FIFA World Cup later that year.

Watch the video below:

"With this kind of example they have shown in late Stephen Keshi… I will never advice my son to put his feet for this country…"

Super Eagles icon Taribo West says he would never advise his son to play for Nigeria, pointing to the government’s neglect of sportsmen. pic.twitter.com/d7SPOsKjuW

— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) August 22, 2025

ALSO READ: Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Taribo West Reunite as Atlanta ’96 Eagles Light Up Olu of Warri 4th Coronation Anniversary