Long before Peter Rufai became a household name in Nigerian football, winning the hearts of fans with his acrobatic saves and calm command between the posts, he had already earned a nickname that would follow him throughout his legendary career: Dodo Mayana.
But how did the name come about? In one of his final public interviews with the Popular Side Podcast, Rufai took time to share the origin story behind the now-iconic moniker — a name that, as he revealed, came from a mixture of humility, admiration, and an unforgettable moment in Portugal.
The journey began in the early 1980s, when a young Rufai was drafted into the national team camp.
Surrounded by goalkeeping greats like Emmanuel Okala, Best Ogedengbe, and Peter Fregene, Rufai’s approach was simple — observe, serve, and learn.
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“I joined the camp in 1981,” he recalled. “Every morning before training, you’ll see me sitting in front of Emmanuel Okala’s door waiting for him to open so I could carry his boots. I’d do the same for Fregene and the others. I’d bring their boots to the bus, and after training, I’d offer to clean them.”
It was this act of service that first earned him the name “Dodo” from Fregene, who was touched by Rufai’s devotion and eagerness to learn.
But the name would evolve into something even more memorable during a training session in Portugal in 1982, under Brazilian coach Otto Gloria.
During that session, Rufai stepped into goal after his senior colleagues and wowed the fans with his performance. Diving for all 30 balls shot at him, he displayed a mix of flair and fearlessness that excited the crowd.
“The fans loved the way I was going for the ball,” Rufai said. “They were shouting, but I didn’t realize it was for me at first.”
Then came the chant: “Dodo!” followed by “Amaya!”
“They pointed to me, shouting ‘Dodo!’ and ‘Amaya!’ I turned and made a gesture that we had training again tomorrow. Then they said, ‘Amayana Dodo,’ and I replied, ‘Dodo Amayana.’”
READ ALSO: “Dodo Mayana will forever live in our hearts” — CAF President Motsepe mourns Peter Rufai
In Portuguese, “Amayana” means “tomorrow.” So, the phrase “Dodo Amayana” symbolized the fans’ wish to see more of the promising goalkeeper the next day. It was a cheer, a tribute — and soon, an identity.
“When you say, ‘Dodo Amayana,’ I reply, ‘Amayana Dodo.’ That’s how the fans and I connected. They preferred calling me that over Peter. And when someone calls me Dodo Amayana, I know they truly know me.”
From that moment in Portugal to the World Cup stages of 1994 and 1998, Dodo Mayana was more than a nickname — it became a symbol of Peter Rufai’s spirit: bold, beloved, and born out of respect for those who came before him.
His story, like his name, remains unforgettable.
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