A conversation with Peter Rufai || Ep 18

For our 18th episode, we welcome a very special guest for our first ever interview session. Yinka and Akin met with legendary Nigerian goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, AKA Dodo Mayana, live in Lagos. The conversation ranged from discussing our guest's legendary career to his views on the future of Nigerian and African football and lots in between, and really showcased the excellence and depth of this great man. We had a great time meeting him and talking with him and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
SUBSCRIBE AND WATCH MORE VIDEOS
/ @thepopularsidepodcast
Follow us:
KZbin - / @thepopularsidepodcast
Facebook - / thepopularsidepodcast
Twitter - / thepopsidepod
IG - / thepopularsidepodcast
ABOUT
We are two friends who enjoy sports debates and analysis. We talk about football (soccer), NFL, NBA, WNBA, tennis, boxing, and much more. We try to keep it classy and intelligent, and sometimes even succeed in doing so! We love to interact with our listeners, so, leave us your thoughts and comments on any current sports news or event you care about. If it's popping, we're talking!
#soccer #sports #epl #viral #football #podcast #sportspodcast #nigeriangoalkeeper #peterrufai #dodomayana #nigerianfootballlegend #sportslegend

[@tonybiegbudu2772]

Peter Rufai as a goal keeper represented Rivers State academic soccer team at the national sport festival tagged Kaduna '77.I was there with the boxing team.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

An unforgettable experience all together for us then and now. Cheers

[@goldenhope5856]

I am Zambian but i cant forget this man.i was a kid by then watching him

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

@@goldenhope5856 Tunisia 94 final against Zambia was one of his finest outings. Thanks for the sub

[@goldenhope5856]

@@ThePopularSidePodcast thanks guys good memories. I have subscriber

[@gbengaadewale2746]

Still very fit, sharp, not pot belly. This man is very disciplined... He did well for Nigeria. For me, these are the kind of people we should be celebrating.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

You're absolutely right. We won't stop celebrating him. Thank you @gbengaadewale2746 don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more

[@wolebanjodestar]

Dodomayana is simply the best and the greatest goalkeeper Nigerian ever produced. He standout in all ramifications: Imposing figure in-between post; only Emanuel Okala had better; Elegant dressing; he was marvelous and fashioinst; Skill, penalty and ball distribution & kicks ( no one does it better); Education wise; he standout with 2 masters degrees; Discipline & humility ( Dodomayana is exceptionally exemplary despite coming from a royal home with his father a royal king in the city of Lagos)

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Discipline and humility stands out undoubtedly...

[@newtonimagbenikaro942]

PETER RUFAI, SIMPLE THE BEST GOALKEEPER NIGERIA 🇳🇬 HAS EVER HAD.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

He remains green in our hearts too. Thanks for watching, please don't forget to subscribe, like and share this video. Thank you again

[@afolabiadedayo6558]

Dodo Mayana!!!! We can't ever forget your contributions and making our childhood very eventfull!!! We celebrate you Peter Rufai!!!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

He's worth celebrating. Cheers to the one and only Dodo Mayana

[@user-ne3mv4yj3x]

I still remember dis legend back in 82/83 @ the UAC ground Suru Lere.. He's always humbled, quiet, and decent... More life @ PR 🎉❤

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

He's an absolute legend

[@SlekkyP]

I watched his games during his era’s club and country, he was the best for Nigeria till date. Younger ones will say Eyeama, but you didn’t really see this man. He was the best. And I dunno why he don’t want to support the goal keeper department for the Super Eagles.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Dodo is a legend and more, we called him 'the myth' 😃😃😃

[@Markks100]

Enyeama is better I watched both in their prime. Rufai did not handle crosses well. He was rubbish in France 98.

[@gbengaadewale2746]

He'll like to help Super Eagles any day but those guys at NFF can't stand this guy. He wouldn't take nonsense and they'll throw nonsense at him.

[@gbengaadewale2746]

​@@Markks100 I disagree with you. Rufai was never ready for France 98. He was at a club enjoying his summer when he was asked to come & serve. He was match rusty. Watch Eagles 1983 under Onigbinde, home based Eagles that reached the final. Cameron couldn't score until he was injured and taken out. Did you see him in 1994?. Common! Enyeama is good but PR is also great. No sentiment.

[@gbengaadewale2746]

You're on point. Enyeama is good but this Papa is superb. I hail oo.

[@GbengaAreo]

He is also holder of two master degrees

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Fascinating

[@kasherimilkong1036]

To me and many others, the keeper of the best Super Eagles team ever, ranked 4th by FIFA and the second most entertaining and beautifully playing team, the most highly decorated international goalkeeper of the SE with 2 AFCON silver and one gold rated one of the best keepers at USA 94 world cup who conceeded only 4 goals in 4 matches against ex world champions Argentina and Italy and a clean slate against Bulgaria, eventual semi finalists who had the tournament's top scorer, Hristo Stoitchkov as their top 9, is the best Super Eagles goal keeper ever.I 👍👍👍👍👍Dodo Mayana!!!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

No doubts there. You're absolutely on point💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@newtonimagbenikaro942]

SO TRUE BRO 👍🏽

[@Tellthetruth-qo6uu]

Rufai was a fashionanista. Neat and always looking great. Ako poju.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

All the time man

[@Bjcrypto545]

Lol. His Jerry curls back then was always dripping😂

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

@@Bjcrypto545 😄😄😄

[@co6335]

Peter 'Dodo Mayana' Rufai. My best and greatest of them all till date. Good with his head, hands and legs.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

I love the way you arranged the name. Peter Dodo Mayana Rufai. Remarkable🫡🫡

[@goldenhope5856]

I was also Peter Rufai I was in Grde 4 by then

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Great memory it must be! Thank you for watching. Please hit the subscribe button and give us a like on the video

[@abodeofhaven1]

Peter Dubai was the only National Goalkeeper I grew up knowing.... Thank you so much....especially in 1994!🇳🇬🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🎖🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you man, for watching and sharing your comment. Please don't also forget to subscribe and share this video - Much Love

[@BamideleOlaoye]

Nigeria greatest goalkeeper ever forget Eyeama hype.Go and watch Rufai of 1981- 84.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

The man remains a legend till date. Every of his play comes with different vibe

[@nwananka]

Eyeama was not hype but Rufai is greater. This man was everything. Rarely made mistakes. Rufai wearing trousers was more legendary b4 he switched to shorts lol

[@SCh9912]

Okala Emmanuel and Peter Fregene are in that equation as well!!!

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

The Goalkeepers Were Playing Abroad Already But You Rufai Was The Best. Alloy Agu Was In RFC Liege Belgium 🇧🇪 & Late Wilfred Agbonavbare Was In Rayo Vallencano Spain 🇪🇦

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Good point

[@MrMoneyLong]

Peter Rufai gave me good memories

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Always for us

[@onyinyeonyinye1260]

Peter Rufai(Dodo Mayana), thanks for all you did, remain blessed!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you @onyinyeonyinye1260 Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more

[@SCh9912]

Dodo Mayana is a fav of most PH people, who knew him back in his early playing days!! But these interviewers don’t seem to know that Peter came into an era that defined Nigerian football! Earlier people played for fun and earned a few bob while Aloysius Agu and Ngodigha were coming into the national stage when Westerhof arrived Nigeria! Peter jumped quite rightly into the bandwagon of professional football- and though he went to school in Belgium, he never nailed down the number 1 spot in most of the clubs he signed for! This was an issue for Westerhof at the time, not necessarily his ability!! Plus, most of what he is describing now- happened to quite a lot of people; it is safe to say, Peter Rufai was ahead of his time!!! Westerhof as well needs to be commended as the man who used tough love to install professionalism into our national team esp in that period time!!! Who can forget the reaction to him when he introduced ‘The Bull’ into the national team at 16!!!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

That's another way to see it from. Thank you for watching, please don't forget to subscribe and share for support.

[@Markks100]

He is very technically minded and conversational. Why has he never been made goalkeeper trainer instead of recycling Alloy Agu & Ike Shorunmu who never communicate well technically?

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

We never can tell from this side of the mirror

[@tayoanuodo541]

The IDEAL are never Celebrated in ObodoNigeria 😢

[@mrmartinsmichael2118]

Dodomayana I great US 95 , 96 God give u long life amen .

[@SCh9912]

We often mention…the best Nigerian GK; Peter and Enyeama gets mentioned! Well, Okala Emmanuel and Peter Fregene are deserve a mention as well!!!!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

You're absolutely right... Thank you for watching, don't forget to subscribe and share for support.

[@gbengaadewale2746]

One of the best goalkeepers which Nigeria has ever had.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Unbeaten position

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

Legend Rufai🇳🇬💚🦅💚🇳🇬

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Down to earth legend

[@FolorunsoSomefun]

🎉Peter Rufai l know was legend. From reserve goal keeper to Quacopone the former Sharks captain and keeper. He played as a goal keeper at National sport festival both for River state and Lagos state at two National sport festivals. I'm lucky to have been present at the first training session he had with Stationery stores of Lagos at Surulere Shell club. Rufai never disappoint in all his matches for Stationary stores that l watched live at UAC Surulere stadium now Teslim Balogun stadium. I have newspapers collection of most of his matches with Stationery Stores.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Dodo never disappoints You got it right. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more

[@michaeljules7009]

My favorite Peter Rufai moments ? Five really stand out for me: The Seoul 88' Olympic Games first leg qualification match between Algeria and Nigeria...that away match was practically between the Peter Rufai and the entire nation of Algeria. Nigeria lost 1-0 but as a child in primary school, I got a huge lift from Rufai's impeccable performance. I found a new hero that day. Egypt vs Nigeria penalty shootout win at the 1984 African Nations Cup Semi Finals. The Maroc '88 semi finals win against Algeria talked about here. The Tunisia '94 semi finals penalty win against Cote d'Ivoire. And of course, he was wonderful at the USA '94 World Cup - especially against Bulgaria where his performance calmed the nerves of an entire Africa - and gave his teammates the belief they could go all out for it. Wonderful personality and a top performer, even though he had difficulties with crosses.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Man you're the real fan of dodo. Much details on the memories😄😄😄

[@GreenGiant873]

For me it was the game and penalty shootout vs Egypt in the 1984 Afcon that endeared me to this great professional, I thought he was going to pick that as his Golden moment

[@kasherimilkong1036]

Sir, you might have been only 8 at the time of the Olympic qualifiers while I was 17. But your recount of the experience has trirred goose bumps all over me when I remembered the radio commentary around Feb. 88. Those were 2 titanic clashes. On days when outfield players failed to score, Peter Rufai was our saviour who almost single handedly took us past Algeria to Seoul. 84 I was in a small village and missed the AFCON. But that confident bouncing tall athletic frame of Dodo Mayana ....meeennnn....conceefing only 3 goals in 5 games against crack teams like Cameroon and Algeria...one of them a dubious penalty....a clean slate in 2 matches including against Egypt....simply incomparably superb. Take a bow and a big gbosa, Dodo Mayana!!!!!

[@SCh9912]

Down memory lane!! All iconic times and games

[@basiruoazeez51]

Also saw him in some grassroots finals in Lagos mostly in Ajele playing ground and Stationary stores football club. A legend of the game in and outside Nigeria.

[@shodapad07]

Great goalkeeper. Lovely story. Great man. ❤

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@boyceuwem6929]

Wow what a man ❤❤

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you for watching Kindly subscribed and give us a thumbnails up

[@goldenhope5856]

Wow memories

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you for watching. Please hit the subscribe button and give us a like on the video

[@iyareimade400]

Very articulate, well spoken and inspirational. Good episode subscribed. We need more stories like these. Great job guys . PS: good questions from you guys too.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you @iyareimade400 for subscribing. We are up for more

[@oladelegbenga]

Una head dey there. Washere

[@YinkaYusuf-ho7nu]

Gbayi …..

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

😂

[@osamudiamenejiagbonlamhen8569]

INN REGARDS!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Always

[@chizobaani4037]

His hairstyle has not changed

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

That's his default looks lol Thank you for watching Kindly subscribed and give us a thumbnails up

[@goldenhope5856]

Those were days

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you for watching. Please hit the subscribe button and give us a like on the video

[@ifeanyianthony9959]

Boss❤❤❤

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Who among us is the boss?😃😃😃

[@charlesjohnson7360]

please extend my greeting to Peter

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

He will have it without fail😁😁

[@GreenGiant873]

Nigeria always produced good goalkeepers back then unlike now where we struggle in that area, Peter Fregene, the Okala brothers, Best Ogedengbe, Peter Rufai. We were spoilt for choices

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

None compare to them just yet but we're seeing someone who might level up soon. What do you think about Stanley Nwabali...?

[@GreenGiant873]

@ThePopularSidePodcast I think Nwabali has what it takes to be a great Goalkeeper, he is confident which is one of the characteristics that has been lacking in the keepers we've had in the last 6 years or so, however I think there's still lots of room for improvement but as long as he stays focused I'll like to see him ply his trade in Europe it doesn't have to be one of the top clubs, but moving to a country like Belgium or even the Netherlands or Austria will do his career a world of good, Enyeama moved to Isreal first before distinguishing himself in Ligue 1.

[@BamideleWalter-vg8og]

Very lovely mayana..

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Absolutely lovely

[@user-gs2iw3ku9y]

Nigerian best goalkeeper

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

To the world😁😁

[@ovieonojeghuo8347]

You Played Against Congo Bravazaville 2-0. Played Against Uganda 0-0 Won Last Minute Penalty KickThat Qualifiers Us AFCON 1994. Played Against Ethiopia And We Won 6-1 And You Scored A Penalty ...

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Magnificent man

[@co6335]

Amaju Pinnick killed the Nigerian football. Importation of foreign players to displace the home based was what truncated the grogressive transition of the national team. He wanted a shortcut success rather than working for success and that brought about lost of identity, lost of Nigerian football philosophy, lost of discipline and committment hence disintegrating the national team. Super Eagles are yet to recover from the Pinnick syndrome.

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Beautiful man. A message worth hearing by all. No shortcut to success at all🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

[@nwananka]

Good points.

[@charlesjohnson7360]

ACB / STORES/NAPA what a rival

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

All gave us the legends we celebrate today😁😁

[@anosikewokoma5315]

Niaja Niaja dis is peter rufai why can't Niaja authority in soccer call him for keepers coach, wht a society,na wa ooo

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

We're getting there eventually. Thanks for commenting, please don't forget to subscribe and share

[@user-nj9lt6mn3e]

Dodo, pls forget d govt I know u have rich friends, y not coopt them into football Let them know d benefits

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

That's another way to go. Thanks for watching

[@malachyozor4740]

A big guy rufia,still a dude

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Always...! Thank you for watching, please don't forget to subscribe and share for support.

[@SCh9912]

Dodo Mayana is a fav of most PH people, who knew him back in his early playing days!! But these interviewers don’t seem to know that Peter came into an era that defined Nigerian football! Earlier people played for fun and earned a few bob while Aloysius Agu and Ngodigha were coming into the national stage when Westerhof arrived Nigeria! Peter jumped quite rightly into the bandwagon of professional football- and though he went to school in Belgium, he never nailed down the number 1 spot in most of the clubs he signed for! This was an issue for Westerhof at the time, not necessarily his ability!! Plus, most of what he is describing now- happened to quite a lot of people; it is safe to say, Peter Rufai was ahead of his time!!! Westerhof as well needs to be commended as the man who used tough love to install professionalism into our national team esp in that period time!!! Who can forget the reaction to him when he introduced ‘The Bull’ into the national team at 16!!!

[@ThePopularSidePodcast]

Thank you for watching, please don't forget to subscribe and share for support.