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Accuses Lagos, NFF of Treating Late Goalkeeper Shabilly
- Safiu Kehinde
Former Super Eagles player, Taribo West, has lamented over the shabby treatment of the funeral of late goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, by the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).
NPO Reported the passing of Rufai who died at the age of 61 on the 3rd of July after prolonged illness.
Prior to his death, the ex-Nigerian shot stopper had been in and out of hospital with frequent request for financial aids sponsored by his colleagues.
Following his death, his family had in a statement issued on Monday announced the funeral schedule for the legendary goalkeeper which commenced with a biography presentation at his Lagos residence yesterday.
Addressing newsmen at the event, Taribo expressed his disappointment with the NFF and LSFA for alleged shabby treatment of the late Rufai.
The former Inter Milan player vowed not to allow his son to play for Nigeria as he recounted shedding tears over the news of Rufai’s death.
He accused the football bodies leaving the burden of the entire funeral to the family of the late goalkeeper, citing similar case with the likes of Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliah amongst others.
Taribo described the late Rufai as a national hero, soldier, and football evangelist who does not deserve such lackluster treatment from the NFF and the LSFA
“I’m just happy to be here. I can see my old contemporaries. To be here in this incredible day and just share the burden and the pain with the family that has rest upon their shoulders.
“This is disheartening that you have Lagos state, Nigerian Football Association. They dropped the bulk on the family. I felt in my spirit that there is nothing to put your life for.
“That is why I have to shift back so that I will not implode. It is grievng. My mother passed on, I never shed tears. My father passed in my hands. I never shed tears.
“But when Rufai passed on, I had goosepimples in my body and every individual I was speaking to, there was tears rolling through my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?
“With this kind of example they have shown in Shofoluwe, in Stephen Keshi, Thompson Oliah, Rashidi Yekini, I will never advice even my son to put his feet for this country.
“Send me out. Do we have a football federation, or do we have a football association in this Lagos state that this hero, soldier, and football evangelist has to be treated this way and his family?
“Could you imagine that the family will be crying just to solicit within our group to ask for money? That is madness” the visibly disappointed ex-footballer said before walking out on the Press.