Football star, Tijani Babangida in auto crash, brother dies, wife hospitalised

Former Nigerian football star Tijani Babangida, renowned for his Olympic gold medal win at the Atlanta 1996 Games, was involved in a tragic car accident on Thursday that claimed the life of his younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida, as reported by Vanguard.

Emmanuel Babayaro, General Secretary of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement, urging everyone to keep Babangida and his family in their thoughts and prayers. Ibrahim Babangida tragically lost his life in the accident, while Tijani Babangida and his wife were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

According to Babayaro, the accident happened while the family was en route from Kaduna to Zaria. Despite the devastating loss of Ibrahim Babangida, Tijani Babangida survived the crash and is currently receiving treatment at Shika Hospital in Zaria. Fortunately, he is conscious and stable, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.

The late Ibrahim Babangida, aged 47, was a retired footballer who had a notable career both domestically and internationally. He was a member of the illustrious 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eagles squad in Japan, showcasing his talent on the global stage at a young age. Throughout his career, Ibrahim represented various local teams such as Bank of The North, Stationery Stores, and Katsina United before making a move to Dutch side Volendam in 1997.