Lagos — A new soccer academy, run by former national team first choice goalkeeper Peter Rufai begins operations today. The Star Ruf Academy will begin screening prospective pupils this morning at the practice pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere from nine and will last for three days.

The Tunisia'94 star said he wants to impart his long wealth of experience to prospective future national team stars.

"I've gained a lot of experience while playing for different coaches during my playing career and it is this that I wasn't to pass on to the youngsters. I want to use the academy to show my appreciation to the nation for allowing me feature for the Super Eagles because I got a lot of exposure while in the national team," said the former Stationary Stores safe hands on Monday at the presentation of Guinness' Super Eagles World Cup package.

Rufai, who also expressed his shock at the death of the late Sports minister Ishaya mark Aku, who died in a plan crash just over week ago, said his academy would produce both outfield players and goalkeepers for the nation.

In the very near future some foreign coaches will be coming in to help train the youngsters. "Very soon some coaches will be coming from overseas to help me out. I really want to give the players the best," said the player fondly called Dodomayana during his playing days.