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FALLEN EAGLES: Rufai, Keshi… members of Nigeria’s 1994 AFCON-winning squad who have died

The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s set at the 1994 AFCON in Tunisia turned in memorable performances that made history for the nation, and lifted the morale of the populace. Filled with star performers, this group of players won Nigeria’s first AFCON title in 24 years at Tunisia ’94.

Their triumph came after several years of near misses, marked by breathtaking performances from the group.

In recent times, however, the close-knit team has been losing its breath of life, succumbing to old age and poor health.

With the passing of Peter Rufai on Thursday, TheCable looks at a few members of the famous squad who have taken their last breath.

STEPHEN KESHI

Keshi was the captain of the Tunisia ’94 team. The ‘Big Boss’ died in Benin City at 54 years from cardiac arrest on June 7, 2016.

After lifting the AFCON trophy as a player, he led the Super Eagles to AFCON triumph as a coach in 2013. Highly respected and fondly remembered by the Nigerian football community, Keshi won 64 caps for Nigeria and scored nine goals for Nigeria during his playing days.

RASHIDI YEKINI

Famous for scoring Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup goal at USA ’94, it was at Tunisia ’94 that the Kwara native wowed fans with his thunderous goals and performance.

He finished the tournament as the highest goalscorer and player of the tournament. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s record highest goalscorer, with 37 goals, died on May 4, 2012, at the age of 48, under unclear circumstances.

THOMPSON OLIHA

The midfield maestro featured for Nigeria at the AFCON and also at the World Cup in 1994. Born in Benin City, Oliha was renowned for his powerful shot and aerial abilities. A knee injury, which curtailed his career at 27 years old, did not remove his endearing image from fans’ hearts.

He, however, succumbed to malaria complications on June 30, 2013, in Kwara State, at 44 years old.

UCHE OKAFOR

He played every match of Nigeria’s triumph at Tunisia ’94. The defender was an inaugural member of the US Major League Soccer (MLS), where he spent five seasons.

He worked as a pundit with ESPN, but was found dead in his Texas home on January 6, 2011. He played 36 times for Nigeria.

WILFRED AGBONIVBARE

Agbonivbare died of cancer on January 27, 2015. He settled in Spain, where he played the majority of his club career, working as a goalkeeper for an amateur side after retirement. He was displaced from the number one position in the national team by Rufai.

PETER RUFAI

Known as Dodo Mayana by his peers and fans, Rufai was the last line of defence for Nigeria at Tunisia ’94. He put in strong performances in both the semi-final and the final, including well-executed time-wasting tactics. At club level, he was well-travelled from Belgium to the Netherlands and Spain. He died on July 3, 2025, at 61 years old following a bout with illness.

Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fallen-eagles-rufai-keshi-members-of-nigerias-1994-afcon-winning-squad-who-have-died/

Without their housing promises from govt being fulfilled.

They came, they saw the conquer.

This set of men are the real Golden eagles 🦅

They flew high in nations cup and world cup that year. I have to watch in the middle of the night to catch a glimpse. Days of NTA sport and B/C/O/S

RiP to those who have died.

Long life to the living

Chai , nawaoooooooooooooooooooooooo, which kind wahala be this, they all died very young though, Rip to all of them

If all the corrupt Nigeria politicians knows that death is inevitable. Am sure they will be doing better than this

You see, no tribal sentiment here oo. Truly football unites

May their soul rest in peace...











May I not die except when I grow old enough in wealth, health, joy, and when Allah is pleased with my soul as a true Muslim.

اللهم امين يارب العالمين

All life shall taste death


Death is unavailable
Sad reality

So painful these players died young. May their souls continue to rest in peace.

They have paid their dues.

Unfortunately they have not been paid

They will forever be remembered for their sacrifices.

May their souls rest in peace. In next work they consider representing another country.

By the time atiku take over them go don kpai kpai kpai finish and these old men will still be alive

Bintin laye

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Death, an inevitable end. RIP to our brave players who made us proud 👏

Great100000:
Source: https://www.thecable.ng/fallen-eagles-rufai-keshi-members-of-nigerias-1994-afcon-winning-squad-who-have-died/

These guys should be honoured and their promised houses given to their families.
They put Nigeria on the sporting map and made us a fearful force back then.

Keep resting legends

[quote author=CodeTemplarr post=136009638]Without their housing promises from govt being fulfilled. [/i ]e be like say you just comot from kirikiri, you no dey read news

As the join the likes of Pele, Maradona, Yekini- and the rest in Paradise,
May they find Peace 🕯️

My brouder is one of them he was in our filage eat food

They did well in those days. The memories linger on. Rest in peace, heroes.

Great people. We shall never see their types again.

Its over 30yrs, more will still go in the next decade. It is inevitable

They really tried, the Rwandan genocide started the same time Nigeria was playing the final against Zambia

Service to the nation. Their Loyalty unsinkable. We will miss those who die among them

Life is like a stage where different people are playing at different time, when their allotted time is over, they must have to leave the stage. They will be remembered by their performance

Heaven and hell are real, it's important we accept Jesus to avoid eternal damnation.

Nothing glorious about this world, nothing actually. It's not when your die, but how and the legacy left behind.

May God continue to protect us all until the day of the final calls.

Such is life.
We came at different times and will leave at different times

Death is always painful, but the most painful of all the fallen heroes listed up there is Stephen Keshi.

.. on a lighter note, I can still recollect how we used to mock Agbonivbare back in those years as Agbonibasket, because the guy too dey concede cheap goals.

AngelicBeing:
Chai , nawaoooooooooooooooooooooooo, which kind wahala be this, they all died very young though, Rip to all of them

Those aren't there real ages dude

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RIP to them. They ignited my interest in the beautiful game.

largeman4u:
If all the corrupt Nigeria politicians knows that death is inevitable. Am sure they will be doing better than this

How will knowing that make them do better? Pls explain.