Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West has revealed that Peter Rufai’s family was “crying” and “soliciting for money” following the death of the former national team goalkeeper.
West made the remarks during Rufai’s service of songs, held in Lagos on Thursday.
Rufai passed away in July at the age of 61.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the iconic goalkeeper died after battling illness for “some weeks”.
West criticized both the NFF and the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), saying they “dropped the bulk” on Rufai’s family.
He expressed frustration over how ex-international players are treated by football authorities, stating, “I’ll never advise my son to put his feet for this country”.
“What kind of nation is this? With the type of example that they have shown with Shofoluwe, Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliha, Rashidi Yekini, I’ll never advise my son to put his feet for this country,” he said.
He also questioned the role of football governing bodies in the treatment of former players and their families:
“Do we have a football association in this country or a federation in this Lagos state that this hero, soldier, football evangelist has to be treated this way and his family.
“Could you imagine that the family would be crying to solicit within our groups, just to ask for money? It is madness.”
West and Rufai played together on the national team for several years, both discovered by former Super Eagles head coach Monday Sinclair, who also passed away in July.
They were part of the Super Eagles squad at the 1998 World Cup in France.