- Elder brother Tijani Babangida, wife hospitalized
Tijani Babangida, former Super Eagles forward, was involved in a car accident on Thursday that tragically claimed the life of his younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida.
Tijani Babangida was part of the Atlanta 1996 Olympic team that won the gold medal and is currently the President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN).
Former teammate, Emmanuel Babayaro, the General Secretary, PFAN, announced the incident in a statement.
“Comrades! Let us be in prayers for our president, Tijani Babangida, who just had a ghastly motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria Road,” Babayaro said.
“Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, died on the spot from the accident while Mr President (Tijani Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital.
“May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen,” he announced.
Speaking with TheCable, Babayaro said Ibrahim will be buried after the Jummat service on Friday.
He added that Tijani is “conscious” and other victims of the accidents are “recuperating”.
Tijani Babangida was a member of the Nigeria U-23 team that won the gold medal in football at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
He had a decade spell with the Super Eagles, where he became famous for his speed down the wings.
Babangida was also a member of the Eagles squad at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ibrahim was a member of the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglet squad in Japan.
He played for Bank of The North, Stationery Stores and Katsina United in Nigeria before joining Eredivisie side Volendam in 1997.
