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Tag: Tijani Babangida

  • Tijani Babangida recalls fatal accident that claimed his son’s, younger brother’s lives

    Tijani Babangida recalls fatal accident that claimed his son’s, younger brother’s lives

    • Injured ex-Super Eagles star, wife seek proper treatment in Holland seven months after

    • Says ‘I will live with this trauma all my life’

    Former Super Eagles winger and Ajax Amsterdam FC star, Tijani Babangida, has recalled with regrets a fatal accident he was involved in on the Kaduna-Zaria Road on May 9.

    The deadly accident claimed the lives of his son, Fadil, and his younger brother, Ibrahim while he, his wife and maid sustained serious injuries.

    Recalling the incident in a 14-minute video documentary shared on the website of Ajax International on Thursday, the Super Eagles legend described the incident as a nightmare.

    “It is hard to forget about it and move on when you suddenly lose your entire family,” he said.

    Currently in The Netherlands, Babangida said he moved to the European country to seek adequate medical treatment for him and his wife.

    He said it was very difficult for him to lose his brother, also an ex-international who played for Nigeria at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning team, and who usually travelled with him.

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    Babangida said in the emotional documentary that he could not bear looking at photos and videos of his son, adding that his wife struggles to remember the name or “anything” about the boy.

    He said: “This is a nightmare. I think I will live with this trauma for the rest of my life. It is hard to forget about it and move on when you suddenly lose your entire family.

    “This is my first time talking about the accident because I couldn’t do it. I can’t bear looking at photos and videos of my son.

    “It is even harder for my wife. She is an actress in Nigeria, famous in the northern part of the country. After being married a year, we had a baby, and suddenly, he was gone.

    “And my brother, who always joined me when I travelled. For me, I only injured my legs and knees. I had to assist my wife.

    “That’s why I came here with my wife to get proper medical treatment. It’s hard.

    “After three months in The Netherlands, I was finally able to tell her that our child was in the car when the accident took place.

    “She started [to] ask about his name. She can’t remember anything about him. She’s so strong that she managed to survive.”

    The video showed Babangida meeting with his former coach, Louis Van Gaal.

    He appreciated his former teammates and coach for the support offered to him during the trying moment.

  • Minister  pledges  Gov’t  support to ailing Tijani Babangida

    Minister  pledges  Gov’t  support to ailing Tijani Babangida

    Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has  visited ailing  former Nigeria International, Tijani Babangida who is still recuperating from the accident he had few days ago alongside his family members.

    Against notion that he has not shown much care since the accident happened, the minister apologized for visiting late but maintained that he had been in touch with the Babangidas but had unfortunately not been able to visit because of his very tight schedule.

    He however assured that the Federal Government will not abandon Tijani at this his trying time, stressing that they will ensure that whatever necessary he needs to get back on his feet will definitely be provided for him. He maintained that it is in showing this kind of support that younger Nigerians would be able to have more faith to represent the country.

    “We need to assist Tijani in whatever way we  can. People like him who have represented this country to the highest level cannot be left alone in their time of need.

    Read Also: Nine Football clubs yet to win any major trophy since establishment

    Responding,  Babangida  thanked the minister for the visit and reiterated  the condition of his wife , saying that they would need  to fly her abroad for the last rounds of treatments.

     “Mr Minister, it has not been easy for me since the accident occurred. There is nothing I can do for my brother and my son whom I lost in the accident, but my greatest concern now is my wife. I will need to take her abroad for surgery but it is going to cost me much. If there is any place I need help it is in this area,” Tijani said.

    In his vote of thank, the secretary of the Nigeria Players union, Emmanuel Babayaro who was on ground to receive the Minister,  re-echoed  the plea of Babangida concerning his wife ,adding  that the condition of his wife is more of a concern to Tijani.

    He informed the Minister that aside those that died in the accident, Tijani’s wife was the worst hit among those who survived and therefore all hands must be on deck to save the lady.

  • TIJANI BABANGIDA: MY LIFE AT AJAX AMSTERDAM

    Ahead of the Champions League semi-final, former Ajax Amsterdam forward, Tijani Babangida talks about his days in Ajax and the chances of the present crop of players in this interview with TAIWO ALIMI.

    Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida enjoyed the better of two worlds during his playing career.  He was a member of Nigeria’s glorious football era (in the 1990s) and the Ajax Amsterdam superlative team that conquered Europe and the world around the same decade.

    Nigeria won the Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) in 1994 after 14 years, qualified for the FIFA World Cup, the first time ever and was ranked No 5 in the world. It has remained the best ever for Super Eagles.

    In 1996, Nigeria Olympic team, made up of mostly Eagles players, captured the soccer gold and qualified for the consecutive World Cup in 1998. Babangida was part and parcel of it all.

    Babangida joined Ajax in the summer of 1996 in a long-anticipated €5 Euro million move. He appeared in 29 league games, scoring four goals in his first season with Ajax. He played an important role in Ajax’s European campaign, scoring three goals, including one against Auxerre in the group stages, and the winning goal in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League encounter with Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón Stadium that put Ajax through to the semi-finals of the competition.

    Babangida had a successful second season with the club as he helped Ajax to another Eredivisie title with a 39-point gap over PSV Eindhoven, while his 13 league goals in 26 games made him the club’s third top scorer, behind Shota Arveladze and Jari Litmanen. Ajax clinched the second title of the season with a 5–0 victory over PSV in the KNVB Cup final, with the Nigerian scoring the first goal.

    The incumbent president of Nigeria Players Union missed the Dutch team that conquered Europe via the EUFA Champions League in 1995 but was an integral part of the team that got to the semi-final of the continental tournament in 1997. In-fact that was the last time they got that far until now.

    Twenty-two years later, Ajax has again taken Europe by storm to make the ‘Last Four’ and ‘Baba’ as he is fondly called offered a glimpse into the secrets behind Ajax’s incredible Champions League scorecard and explained factors that makes the team tick.

    Taking to his LinkedIn handle, the speedy winger posted a picture of the 1997 and 2019 sets side by side with the inscription. ’22 years ago Ajax played in the semi finals of the champions’ league…most of these current players was yet to be born.’

    Babangida thereafter spoke exclusively with The Nation where he goes  back memory lane about the Ajax tradition and style and leapfrogged into the present on the potentials of the new look Ajax team.

    He believed strongly that this team can beat any team in Europe, including Barcelona.

    “I will forever remember my time with Ajax,” he began.“There is a lot to talk about because I enjoyed my time there. It was a dream for me and it was there that I learn that hard work pays.

    “When I came to Ajax after what Finidi and the team did, it was a big task for a young player like me coming to the best team in the world.

    “ At that time I think I worked very hard towards that success because I started with a smaller team. When you start with smaller teams in Europe, you need to be exceptional. You need to be good to convince the scouts of Ajax to figure you out.

    “That was what happened and it made me proud. I had a lot of memorable moments at the club. The 1997 Champions League is one I will not forget. We made it to the semi-final and I scored a spectacular goal against Atletico Madrid.

    “Unfortunately we played Juventus in semi-final and lost that match. It was painful that we could not get to the final. I very much wanted to play in the finals, especially since they won two years ago before I signed for them.”

    Babangida said there is little difference between Ajax of his time and today’s that have become this season’s football fairytale.

    He offered: “Well Ajax in the 90s are the Barcelona of that era. I joined Ajax just after winning the Champions League and the World Club Cup in 1997. (George)  Finidi and (Nwankwo) Kanu were in that team. A compact team that was unbeaten throughout that season.”

    “I think this year Ajax team can go the whole way to win the Champions League after 24 years. They are young and fearless. They play total football and reminded me of what we used to be, a complete team that plays total football. They are team in the sense of the word. The players are young and strong and after eliminating Real Madrid and Juventus, they can go the whole way. I see them bringing back the glory of Europe to Amsterdam.”

    Meanwhile, it was reported  that  at the start of this season, most fans outside of Amsterdam would have struggled to name their players, yet now they roll off the tongue, Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Hakim Ziyech, David Neres…the football world is falling in love with them.

    They have knocked out Real Madrid and they have seen off Juventus. Next up, they face Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals and Babangida believes the Boys from The Netherlands can go all the way again. Excerpts…

     

    You played for Ajax during their glorious era in the 90s. What made that team tick?

    Well Ajax in the 90s are the Barcelona of that era. I joined Ajax just after winning the Champions League and the World Club Cup in 1997. And all kudos to Johan Cruyff who took the system of total football from Ajax in Holland to Barcelona. The tiki-taka style. Football is hard to play but playing simple is the most hardest of football.

    What can you remember of the Champions League victory of 1995?

    I joined the team after that victory but because I was playing in Holland and Finidi and Kanu were playing for Ajax, the team was on the lips of everyone. They had top players like the twins Frank an Ronald de Boer, Danny blind, Jari Litmanen, Marc Overmars, and Patrick Kluivert, Edwin van der Sar, Frank Rijkaard, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids to mention but few.

    When you eventually joined Ajax, was it difficult settling into the biggest club in Europe?

    No. I get alone with most of the players. You are okay with everybody the moment you do what you are supposed to do, which is for you to perform well and help the team. You become friends with all.

    So what makes Ajax so successful?

    Ajax believed more on their Academy which I consider to be the best in the world. It is my opinion. All these players I mention above are all from their Academy. In addition to this, they will buy  few Scandinavian like Litmanen, Peterson, Laudrup and so on.

    The difference between Ajax and Barcelona is that Barcelona believe in using a star player, at least one in the system. They play total football of tiki taka too. They both have a flourishing Academy where most of their players come from but Barcelona would always inject a star player like Ronaldinho and Messi. That’s the only difference between Ajax and Barcelona.

    Did you experience any kind of intimidation coming to the best team in the world at that time?

    When I came to Ajax after what Finidi and the team did by winning the Champions League, it made the work of younger players like me very hard, coming to the best team in the world at that time.

    I did not feel intimidated. I tried to do what I can do. However, I was already known playing at Roda JC before coming to Ajax. I was loved by fans everywhere in Holland. So they already knew what I can do and that made playing for Ajax relaxing.

    Was there a comparison between you and Finidi?

    Finidi are I are different. We play different type of football and we are different players too. I played 90 percent of my football career in Holland, so Ajax took their time and years watching me before coming for me. And I did not disappoint them.

    What is your opinion about the new crop of Ajax players?

    They are young and strong. They understand the total football style of play, which is to ensure you get back the ball from your opponent each time you lose it. You run and chase the ball from opponent the more you lose the ball. It is expected that within 10 seconds of losing the ball you get it back. This is exactly what Barcelona play when the like of Xavi an Iniesta are younger. Now Barcelona can’t play like that but this young Ajax team can.

    How much of Holland is in you?

    Half of my life I’ve spent in Holland since 1991. I have grown with the system of Dutch football. Till date I am the longest serving Nigerian player in Holland.

    What kind of food do you like?

    I am all rounder. I eat almost all food be it local dish or continental.

    Do you think your son will play for Ajax one day?

    After his university whatever he wants to do is okay by me.

    What are your best and worst soccer moments?

    My best moment was winning the Olympics. And the worst was when Cameroon defeated Nigeria in the final of the Nations Cup in 2000. I have also scored many great goals and that makes me happy too. I remember the goal against Atletico Madrid   in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It is one of my best goals and it is a moment I won’t forget.

  • Kanu, El-Hadji Diouf, Apiah, Amokachi , others to light up Kano

    Kanu, El-Hadji Diouf, Apiah, Amokachi , others to light up Kano

    African football legends are billed to light up the ancient city  of Kano on December 14 in a novelty match against Kano Pillars.
    According to the General Coordinator,Moo Mohammed Mustapha, he listed the  ex-international footballers who will feature in the match to include former Super Eagles and two-time African Footballer of the Year, Kanu Nwankwo, El-Hadji Diouf of Senegal, Steven Apiah of Ghana, Mohammed Kalou of Sierra-leone.
    Others include Fabian Makati of South Africa, Samson Siasia, Tijani Babangida, Lukas Kadiebe of South Africa, Garba Lawal, Mutiu Adepoju, Peter Rufai, Daniel Amokachi and the host of others.
    However, Kanu Nwankwo who was present at the Press Conference in the company of Diouf appealed to the Federal Government and state governments to pick interest in the December 14 football match, designed to help the IDPs.
    “We have to do this for the IDPs because people talk about and forget about them. We call on the Federal Government, state governors, corporate organizations, wealthy individuals and Nigerians in the Diaspora to respond positively to this clarion call.
    “We should make sure that we all play a role. We want the Federal Government and the state governments to be part of this. This is a very big statement and we have to do it. This game is very important to Nigeria. It is important to raise the hope of the IDPs. We have to come to their rescue,” he stated.
    The tourney is  designed to drum up support for a fund-raising to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
    Meanwhile, the chairperson of the MATCH4IDPS Local Organizing Committee, Abi Goodman, the event is a charity game to raise awareness for the need to help IDPs who are victims of Boko Haram insurgency and others who are in camps across the country over one problem or the other.
    Goodman who addressed sportswriters during a pre-match press conference to create awareness for the event said, “we are here to introduce a charity and the purpose is to use the opportunity to raise awareness on the situation going on in IDP camps across Nigeria.
    “The match is designed to kick-start campaign to raise fund for the IDPs. The Match is between African football legends and Kano Pillars football club.
    It will hold at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on the 14th of December, 2017.”
    According to her, the event became necessary to help IPDs, adding that donor agencies such as the United Nations, UNICEF and other Non Governmental Organizations have run out fund, “and there is need to use other avenues such as football to attract donors to help and support our brothers and sisters who are practically suffering in the IDPs across Nigeria.”
  • Oliseh agrees to pay Babangida’s salary

    Oliseh agrees to pay Babangida’s salary

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has agreed to pay his former Ajax Amsterdam teammate, Tijjani Babangida, after he insisted on having the ex-Eagles star on his backroom staff.

    “Oliseh has maintained he will decide who he works with and that is why Babangida will return to the Eagles camp when it reopens for the AFCON qualifiers against Egypt next month,” an official told africanFootball.com on Monday.

    “He has been his close and trusted confidant right from their playing days and he counts on him a great deal.”

    Oliseh has made his position on this matter very clear to his employers.

    And also the contract he signed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) allows him to appoint an assistant coach and a special assistant.

     

  • IBB lauds Tijani Babangida’s accomplishments

    IBB lauds Tijani Babangida’s accomplishments

    Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida has hailed the contributions of one of Nigeria soccer stars, Tijjani Babangida, saying he is proud of what the former Ajax Amsterdam winger has achieved in life.

    Babangida will on Saturday be a special guest at the Inter House Sports competition of Al Amin International School, Minna, founded by the ex-Nigerian leader.

    The man fondly called “IBB” and another former Nigerian Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar, on Friday had a private audience with the ex-Super Eagles star ahead of Saturday’s event, africanFootball.com reports.

    “I was truly humbled with what the two former Nigerian leaders said of me when I met them. They said they are very proud of me and so are other Nigerians,” the soccer star told africanFootball.com.

     

  • NFF, Oliseh on fresh collision course over Babangida

    NFF, Oliseh on fresh collision course over Babangida

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, is set for another confrontation with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after he insisted Tijjani Babangida remains his personal assistant and has not been sacked.

    The NFF had earlier this week issued a final warning to Oliseh to keep his cool after his recent YouTube rantings.

    However, sources told africanFootball.com that the ex- Eagles captain has put his foot down that the NFF do not have a say on the two persons he picked to work with him as contained in the contract he signed with the federation.

    “Oliseh has asked questions on the reported dismissal of his personal assistant as no reason was given for their decision,” the source told africanFootball.com.

    “He has insisted Babangida remains his personal assistant as long as he has a contract with the NFF.”

    Another source said Oliseh is the real target, but like cowards the NFF officials are after Babangida and other “soft targets” around the Super Eagles coach.

  • NFF sacks Babangida, names Amuneke as Flying Eagles coach

    NFF sacks Babangida, names Amuneke as Flying Eagles coach

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has sacked Tijani Babangida, Personal Assistant to Sunday Oliseh, the Super Eagles Head Coach.

    This is stated in a communiqué  at the end of the  meeting of the NFF Executive Committee issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Ademola Olajire, the NFF Assistant Director of Communications.

    It said the disengagement of Babangida followed recommendation of the NFF Technical and Development Committee which was unanimously approved.

    The board, therefore, mandated the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, to follow the due process in effecting the disengagement.

    Similarly, the NFF executive committee endorsed the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee for the appointment of erstwhile Golden Eaglets’ Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, as Head Coach of the Flying Eagles.

    The communiqué said Kabiru Baleria and Emeka Amadi had been appointed as Assistant Coach and Goalkeeper Trainer respectively.

    NFF also approved the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee that the backroom staff of the various National Teams be reconstituted immediately, with the exception of the Super Eagles.

    “With its determination to find a holistic solution to the dwindling fortunes of the Senior Women National Team, Falcons, committee approved the recommendation of the Technical Committee for the appointment of expatriate coach.

    “The expatriate coach will be assisted by former Super Falcons’ Captains, Florence Omagbemi, Perpetua Nkwocha and Ann Chiejine, with Bala Mohammed as Goalkeeper Trainer.

    “Omagbemi will head the crew in acting capacity in the meantime.

    “The Executive Committee also approved a recommendation by the Technical Committee for processes to be put in place for the training, grading and certification of all categories of football coaches in Nigeria.

    “The programme, which would be run in conjunction with a consultant to be approved by the Executive Committee, will commence once approval is secured from the Confederation of African Football’’, it said.

    It further stated that henceforth, Super Eagles Coach Sunday Oliseh must report to the NFF General Secretary and the Technical and Development Committee.

    The communiqué also said that Oliseh should be ready to defend his entire programme before the committee including invitation of players and training programmes at all times.

    “Executive Committee reviewed the outing of the Super Eagles at the recently-concluded 4th Championship of African Nations and the events that followed.
    “The committee rebuked Oliseh for his unwarranted statements unbecoming of a National Team Coach.

    “His outburst in both regular and social media was unnecessary, However, we acknowledge his apology but the executive committee will not tolerate similar infractions in future.

    “The committee approved a recommendation by the NFF Referees Committee for the introduction of Referee Assessor for matches of the Nigeria National League from 2016 season.

    “The executive committee constituted ad-hoc committees to study and compose governance structures for Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League, Nationwide League One, and report back to the committee within four weeks.’’

    It listed the committees as composed to include Nigeria National League to be chaired by Seyi Akinwunmi, while the Nigeria Women Football League would be chaired by Alhaji Babagana Kalli.

    Nationwide League One ad-hoc committee would have Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau as its Chairman.

  • Injury hits CHAN Eagles

    Injury hits CHAN Eagles

    Nigeria will likely to rest strikers Tunde Adeniji and Chisom Chikatara for Wednesday’s friendly against Angola after they suffered knocks in Tuesday’s test game against South Africa’s premier league side, University of Pretoria.

    The team liason officer, Tijjani Babangida, said Adeniji, who scored twice in a 3-0 win over University of Pretoria, pulled out of the game with a muscle complaint after he scored his second goal, while Chikatara suffered a hamstring injury.

    Adeniji scored 16 goals for Sunshine Stars last season, while Chikatara was a major player at Abia Warriors.

    “The boys are coming up from what we saw in this game, but two strikers Adeniji and Chisom suffered knocks during the game,” Babangida told africanFootball.com.

  • Babangida gets two more years

    Babangida gets two more years

    Former Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida has been given a fresh two years’ contract to lead FC Taraba by the acting governor of Taraba State.

    The former Nigeria International, whose contract expired after leading the team to secure promotion to the Nigeria Glo Premier League, did not relent in taking charge of the team even while waiting for his contract to be renewed.

    A delighted Babangida expressed gratitude to the acting governor, Garba Umar for having the confidence to give him a two-year contract extension to lead FC Taraba. He promised not to disappoint the governor and good people of the state in the task of leading the team to doing well in the Glo Nigeria Premier League.

    The club’s media officer, Martin Odiete, said the Jalingo-based team has been putting finishing touches to their preparations ahead of the Glo Premier League.

    “The team recently played a friendly match with Gombe United in Gombe which forced us to a one-all draw. We’ve also played several other friendly matches with local club sides in the state,” Odiete said.

    FC Taraba will be playing their first match in the Glo Nigeria Premier League at home against Nasarawa FC and Babangida has assured that the team will definitely give a good account of themselves in their first season in the league.