Nigerian football fans have been thrown into mourning following the demise of the Super Eagles legend and FIFA Youth World Cup winner Tijani Babangida and his footballer brother, MySportDab reports.
Tijani, 50, and his family were reportedly involved in a tragic motor accident on the Kaduna-Zaria highway.
His brother Ibrahim Babangida, who is also a former footballer, is also said to have been involved in the car crash and had died at the spot while Tijani and his family members had to be rushed to the hospital.
As reported by various Nigerian media outlets, the incident occured on Thursday, May 9, 2024 and was confirmed by Tijani’s former Super Eagles teammate Emmanuel Babayaro.
As quoted by the Punch, Babayaro said;
“Comrades! Let us keep Tijani Babangida and his family in our prayers, as they were involved in a tragic motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria road. Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, lost his life in the accident, while Mr. President (Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital. May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen.”
When Babayaro reported the disaster, it was only Ibrahim Babangida that was confirmed dead. Now, subsequent reports have also confirmed that Tijani, who sustained deep injuries due to the crash, has passed on at the hospital.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Football Federation have yet to release an official statement to the effect of the sad incident.
Tijani was part of the indomitable Super Eagles squad that won the Atalanta 1996 Olympic Games. He also won the FIFA U-17 World Cup with the Golden Eaglets.
His brother, Ibrahim Babangida, was also a Nigeria footballing icon with a heroic playing career at the domestic and foreign scene. Ibrahim played for Katsina United and Stationery Stores in the Nigerian League before taking his career to Europe.
He spent a huge chunk of his club career playing in Dutch league with Joda, VVV-Venlo, Ajax, and Vitesse before calling time on his career in 2022.
