"We Don’t Take Care of Our Own”: Siasia Laments Lack of Support From Govt on Peter Rufai’s Burial
- Super Eagles legend Samson Siasia has accused the Federal Government of Nigeria for neglecting football heroes
- Siasia's teammate Peter Rufai was buried on Friday morning, August 2025, after a mass at the Catholic Church in Lagos
- Nigerians have disagreed with the opinion of the ex-international, urging the current players to learn lessons from Rufai's case
Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, said Nigerians do not honour individuals who have served the country meticulously.
Siasia made the accusation during the funeral rites of late football icon Peter Rufai, who passed away on July 3 at the age of 61 after a prolonged illness, leaving an indelible mark on African football.
Rufai started his career with Stationery Stores before moving abroad, where he featured for teams in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain.
Source: Getty Images
Rufai also represented the Nigerian national team and was part of the squad for two FIFA World Cups, and won the AFCON tournament in 1994.
Rufai did not cry out – Siasia
Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia explained that late Peter Rufai failed to speak out during his trying times.
According to News Central, the 57-year-old said Rufai is a national treasury and his burial ceremony ought to be handled by the Federal Government of Nigeria and not his family.
The Lokeren legend said the nation abandoned ex-internationals who brought smiles to the faces of Nigerians in the past. He said:
“When I learnt of Peter Rufai’s death, I felt so sad and was very unhappy because he did not say anything, even if he had said something, what will Nigerians do? “
“Look at Kadiri Ikhana and Henry Nwosu when they were critically sick, Nigerians do not take care of their own, we are like fallen soldiers.
“When you go to war and come back, everybody forgets about you and this has to change.
“The government has to be in charge of taking care of funerals like this when they have served the nation as a legend. I don't think it is too much to ask."
Source: Getty Images
Siasia opens up on relationship with Rufai
Former Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia said late Peter Rufai was his teammate during their playing days in the senior national team.
According to a post on X, the AFCON winner explained that he felt bad because of the relationship they had both at the country and club level. He said:
“Since I started playing in the Super Eagles, even before then, I played with him in Belgium (he was the first to arrive in Belgium), Rufai is like a senior brother to me.
“When we started playing for the Super Eagles, I can remember vividly that most of the time we were in the same room, so I am closer to Rufai than anybody when you talk about the Nigerian men's senior team."
Nigerians react
@TrendfusionNG said:
"It's unconscionable to think that stars who played at the highest levels of world football, made loads of money, ended up giving most of them away and partied with the rest.
"As a people, we must begin to take responsibility for our lives and choices. Everything is not government. We externalise too much."
@Momonny1 wrote:
"This is very unpatriotic. You played overseas, got paid handsomely, came back after your careers ended, and the NFF employed you as a coach, paid you salary for years, yet you said the country abandoned you. I still don’t understand. Why are you guys self-centred?"
@Femiotunba1 added:
"Tomorrow some of these Super Falcons that PBAT rewards will start to make their own videos, telling us how they were abandoned, these footballers should be advise to plan for retirement just like everybody please."
@yusufzone said:
"Super Eagles players and other Nigerian sportsmen should realize that they are being handsomely paid for their services. It is not the government's responsibility to take care of your post-retirement life. Plan your life with all the huge money you're getting now b4 it's too late."
Waidi Akanni counters Taribo's claims
Legit.ng earlier reported that Super Eagles legend Waidi Akanni debunked Taribo West's comments that the Lagos government did not support Rufai's family.
Akanni claimed that the Lagos State Government donated the sum of N15 million to the family of Rufai.
Source: Legit.ng
