Former Super Eagles head coach Augustine Eguavoen has hit out at the Federal Government of Nigeria for a lack of support towards Peter Rufai's family.

Legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai died in the early hours of July 3 at a Lagos hospital after a prolonged battle with illness.

According to Tell Magazine, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead, throwing the country's football community into mourning.

Eguavoen slams FG during Rufai's burial

Dodo Mayana, as he was fondly referred to, was buried on Friday, August 22, 2025, after a mass at a Catholic church in Lagos.

His former teammates and Nigerian football dignitaries attended the burial, during which NFF technical director Augustine Eguavoen had an emotional outburst.

Eguavoen hit out at the Federal Government of Nigeria for a lack of support towards his family, claiming they did not do enough for Rufai's family.

"I don't think we've done enough. I don't care what anybody's gonna say about it. The difference between sportsmen and women and military people is the gun,” he told News Central, as quoted by Sahara Reporters.

"I think Peter Rufai is too big for a name that the government and the people in charge won't just come and take over this burial."

Augustine Eguavoen says the late Peter Rufai gave so much to Nigerian football and deserves to be remembered, not ignored. pic.twitter.com/IHrm8EAKjf

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

“It was also the same attitude when the late Keshi was buried many years ago. Not to talk about the late Okafor and others. It is what it is.

“I think Peter Rufai is too big for a name, that the government, the people in charge, won't just come and take over this burial. Peter Rufai is a name, a household name, a big name. It's so sad,” he added.

Fans on social media hit back at Eguavoen, claiming most ex-internationals absolve themselves of responsibility, but instead feel entitled to being taken care of for life.

@babatundealabi wrote:

“The sentiment expressed by ex-Super Eagles players is unfounded. People work 5 days a week for 35 yrs and don't expect the govt to come bury them. The most appearances a player has had for Naija is 111. Is this why govt should take over their burial? Please save for your old age.”

@Igbeauxx wrote:

“No sense of personal responsibility in the African man, always entitled and expecting a messiah or daddy govt. to come and save them. Imagine comparing someone that kicks a ball to a soldier that defends borders with his life. As if Rufai did Nigeria a favor and wasn’t compensated for his playing time. I hate the way black people think, and this is the reason they are at the bottom of the food chain anywhere in the world.”

@prosper4Osazee wrote:

“Sportsmen want us to leave this country for them. Meanwhile, they were earning bountifully in their active days. Wetin sojas go con talk?”