Babajide Okeowo
Peter Rufai, a former Super Eagles of Nigeria’s goalkeeper, has revealed that it took him six months to recover from the shock of losing to Italy in the Round of 16 match of the World Cup competition in the United States of America in 1994.
Nigeria was poised to defeat the Italian having held a one-nil lead up to the 88 minutes of the game before two goals from the Italian side consigned the African team to a defeat.
The Nigerian shot stopper has now revisited the pain and anguish of losing that all-important match to the Italian.
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Speaking recently during the 8th Annual General Conference of the Lagos State chapter of the Cherubim & Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria held at Ipaja area of the state, Peter Rufai revealed that contrary to widespread belief that members of the team were busy enjoying themselves in their hotels while Nigerians agonize over the defeat, he was left devastated and shocked and that it took him six months to recover from that shock.
“After the game against Italy, I was the last person to leave the dressing room. I stood under the shower for over one hour thirty minutes and could not leave. I could not lift a step forward; it was as if I was going to fall.
“I was thinking in my mind; what happened, what went wrong? How did it happen? I was asking myself questions and was asking God questions.
“I was looking at the scoreboard when Nigeria was leading, and up to the 88th minute, Nigeria was still leading Italy by 1-0. So, how everything changed in under three minutes, I still could not understand.
“After that match, it took me six months to recover.
“I knew the Italian team received a message from their Prime Minister that if they lose to Nigeria, they should not bother to come home,” he disclosed.
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Recall that on the 5th July 1994, Nigeria played in the round of 16 tie of the World Cup – the first time ever – against Italy who were three-time champions of the tournament at the time.
It was Nigeria’s first appearance at the World Cup and the Clemens Westerhof-tutored side snatched a shock lead on the 25th minute through Emmanuel Amuneke and was coasting home to victory before conceding an equalizer against Italy in the 88th minutes to send the game into extra time before Roberto Baggio’s goal in the 102nd minute cost Nigeria the game.