Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has expressed his deep disappointment with Nigerian football authorities, vowing that he would never allow his son to visit Nigeria following the treatment of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai's family.

Speaking at Rufai's burial ceremony, West criticized both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning the family of the deceased football icon during their time of grief.

"It's disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association. They drop the bulk on the family," West said in an emotional interview with News Central.

The former defender, known for his distinctive hairstyle and passionate play during his career, revealed how deeply affected he was by Rufai's passing, stating, "My mother passed on. I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands. I never shed tears. When Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples on my body. And every individual I'm speaking to, there were tears rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?"

West's frustration reached a climax when he declared, "With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out!"

The former international questioned the role and responsibility of football authorities in honoring national heroes, expressing shock that Rufai's family had to solicit funds from former players to give the late goalkeeper a proper burial.

"Do we have a Football Federation or do we have a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family," West lamented.

He added, "Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit in within our groups to ask for money? That is madness."

Peter Rufai, who represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cup tournaments (1994 and 1998), was a beloved figure in Nigerian football. His death has sparked conversations about how the country treats its sporting heroes after their active careers.

Neither the NFF nor the Lagos State Government has officially responded to West's allegations at the time of this report.

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