Former Ajax star Tijani Babangida has opened up about the tragic accident that claimed the lives of his young son, Fadil, and his brother, Ibrahim, as the football world continues to rally around him and his family during this difficult chapter of their lives.
The accident, which occurred in May along the Kaduna-Zaria highway in Northern Nigeria, left Babangida’s wife with life-altering injuries, including the loss of an eye and the need for extensive facial reconstruction surgery.
The family has since relocated to the Netherlands, where Babangida’s Dutch passport secured his wife a residence permit for the duration of her treatment, which could take at least a year.
“I simply want to live a peaceful life,” Babangida said via a video shared by Ajax on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting on the physical and emotional toll the incident has taken.
Babangida’s former teammate at Roda JC, Marco van Hoogdalem, offered him and his wife a place to stay at his resort, where he helped provide a safe and comfortable space for their recovery.
Meanwhile, Ajax Amsterdam, alongside friends and members of the football community, launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the family’s medical and psychological needs, as Babangida lacks insurance coverage.
Also in the video, Babangida was spotted reuniting with his former coach at Ajax Louis van Gaal, in an emotional moment.
“I wasn’t sure if I would recognise you, but you still have the same smile!” Van Gaal remarked.
The football community has rallied with financial assistance and also with psychological support to help Babangida and his family on their path to healing.
Shina Oludare is a distinguished sports journalist and managing editor, renowned for his comprehensive coverage of African football. His dedication to elevating African sports on the global stage has earned him widespread respect, along with numerous accolades for his contributions. A graduate of the LaLiga Business School in Madrid, Oludare’s passion for sports and his influential work in African football journalism have established him as a leading figure in the industry.
