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Taribo West slams NFF and Lagos State for neglecting Peter Rufai’s family.
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He called it “disheartening” and warned it could deter future Super Eagles stars.
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Rufai was a 1994 AFCON winner and World Cup veteran.
Taribo West slams NFF and the Lagos State government, saying they abandoned Peter Rufai’s family and left them to pay funeral costs.
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Speaking at Rufai’s burial in a video shared by News Central, West called the neglect “disheartening” and said he will not encourage his son to play for Nigeria.
West named Yisa Sofoule, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliya and Rashidi Yekini to show a pattern of neglect.
He warned that when former players and their families must solicit money privately, the system breaks down and young talent will think twice before representing the Super Eagles.
Moreover, he urged the Nigeria Football Federation and state authorities to act now and protect the dignity of football legends.
Rufai’s record shows why this matters. He started for Nigeria at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, helping the Super Eagles reach the last 16 both times.
He won AFCON silver in 1984 and 1988 and stood in goal for the 1994 title-winning side.
Rufai made his international debut in December 1981 and later played club football in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
In short, the nation must decide how it honours its heroes.
If authorities fail to set up reliable support for retired players and their families, more ex-internationals risk being forgotten.
