| Nigerian footballer, right midfielder Date of Birth: 25.09.1973 Country: Nigeria |
Tijjani Babangida began his football journey in his native Nigeria with Niger Tornadoes in 1990. At the tender age of 17, he made a significant move to the Netherlands, joining Roda JC. However, Roda JC deemed it beneficial to loan him out to VVV-Venlo for 18 months. During his time with VVV-Venlo, Babangida impressed with his attacking prowess, scoring 19 goals in 34 appearances.
Babangida returned to Roda JC in 1993, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He netted 11 goals in 29 matches during the 1993/94 season, helping his club secure a respectable 6th place finish in the Dutch league. The following season, he played an instrumental role in Roda JC's achievement of the Dutch Cup runner-up position. Babangida's consistent performances, totaling 26 goals in 78 appearances for Roda JC, earned him the attention of Dutch giants Ajax, who acquired his services in 1996.
At Ajax, Babangida initially enjoyed regular playing time, featuring in 25 matches during the 1996/97 season. However, his goal tally remained modest with only 4 strikes. The 1997/98 campaign proved to be more successful, as Ajax claimed both the Dutch Eredivisie title and the Dutch Cup. Gradually, Babangida's playing time at Ajax declined, leading to a loan move to Turkish club Genclerbirligi in 2000. His time in Turkey was brief, with Babangida making just 12 appearances and scoring twice.
Following his return to the Netherlands, Babangida opted to join Vitesse Arnhem as a free agent on a one-year contract. He had received an offer from French club Auxerre but opted for Vitesse after a persuasive call from Ronald Koeman. His stint with Vitesse was also short-lived, with Babangida playing 14 matches and scoring once. Seeking a fresh challenge, he signed a six-month contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad Jeddah but left amidst differences with the coach after playing only 5 matches. Babangida's final professional club was Changchun Yatai in China.
Babangida debuted for the Nigerian national team in 1994 and went on to represent his country in 40 matches, scoring 5 goals. He was part of the Nigerian squad that won the Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Babangida also played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where Nigeria reached the round of 16, losing to Denmark. His only goal in the tournament came in that match.
Following his retirement from playing, Babangida transitioned to a career as a football agent. His younger brothers, Ibrahim and Haruna, are also professional footballers.