Vitesse and AFC Ajax players sent an emotional condolence message to former Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babaginda, after he was involved in a tragic accident with his family, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Ajax winger was involved in an automobile accident last week on the Nigerian expressway between Kaduna and Zaria en route to Abuja.
The Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist lost his younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida in the car crash, alongside his infant son, Fadil, while his wife is in a crucial condition after undergoing facial surgery.
Soccernet.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Football Federation president, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, alongside his executives visited the former Nigerian winger at a hospital in Abuja.
Tijani played for Ajax between 1996 and 2003, spending the 2001/2002 season on loan with Vitesse. In today’s final Eredivisie matchday, Ajax and Vitesse went head to head.
Since Babaginda played for both teams, it only seemed fitting that players from each side united to send a heartfelt message to their ex-player at the GelreDome stadium, showing he wasn’t alone in his grief.
We are with you, Babangida family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XHuumRc6In
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 19, 2024
The banner read “heel veel sterkte” which translates to “all the strength you need”, signifying an emotional gesture from both Dutch sides.
Former coach of the Dutch national team, Loius Van Gaal, also sent a heartfelt message to the 50-year-old, making his condolences known to Tijani after he lost several members of his family in the car crash.
Message to Tijani Babangida from Ajax and His former coach, Louis van Gaal.
Emotional 😔. pic.twitter.com/oHqNENrP27
— Adepoju Tobi Samuel 🇳🇬 (@OgaNlaMedia) May 19, 2024
The pair worked together at Ajax for a season before Van Gaal moved on to Spain to coach a star-studded Barcelona team. Tijani once described the former Bayern Munich Manager as the best coach he played under.