The Super Falcons began their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a powerful blend of dominance and deep emotion, defeating Tunisia 3-0 on Sunday night at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. But beyond the goals and points, it was Asisat Oshoala’s personal tribute to the late Peter Rufai that left a lasting impression.

 

All members of the Nigerian team wore black armbands during the match in honour of Rufai — a revered former Super Eagles captain and one of Nigeria’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, who passed away last week. Oshoala, however, chose to pay homage in her own special way.

 

The six-time African Player of the Year took to the pitch wearing two white wristbands marked with a handwritten inscription: “Peter Rufai”, along with a small drawing of the legendary shot-stopper. After scoring Nigeria’s opening goal in just the third minute, Oshoala pointed to the sky and held up her wristbands in a moving, silent tribute.

 

“It was important to me to honour a man who paved the way for so many of us,” Oshoala later said. “Peter Rufai was not just a football legend — he was a symbol of pride for Nigerian sport. That goal was for him.”

 

Rufai, who was affectionately known as “Dodo Mayana,” was a key figure in Nigeria’s golden era, featuring prominently in the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance the same year. His death has triggered heartfelt tributes from across generations of Nigerian footballers.

 

Oshoala’s gesture added a poignant tone to a night that already carried emotional weight. The Super Falcons, guided by coach Justine Madugu, are chasing a historic 10th continental title, and their opening performance — featuring goals from Omorinsola Babajide and Chinwendu Ihezuo alongside Oshoala’s opener — was a strong statement of intent.

 

But even amid their title ambitions, the team paused to honour a fallen hero — with Oshoala’s quiet tribute reminding the world of the enduring impact of legends like Peter Rufai.