Former footballer Tijani Babangida in critical condition after fatal accident killed his brother

Former Super Eagles winger, Tijani Babangida, is reportedly fighting for his life after being involved in a crash that claimed the life of his younger brother, Ibrahim.

The 50-year-old crashed his car into a moving trailer along the Kaduna-Zaria Road on Thursday, May 9. He was rushed to the hospital, along with his wife, son, and maid who were also in the car at the time of the crash.

Ibrahim, a 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner, will be buried in Kaduna on Friday, May 10 (today).

Former Nigerian footballers are mourning the death of Babangida. Garba Lawal, a 1996 Olympic Games gold medalist and former teammate of the Babangida brothers, along with others, are praying for the quick recovery of the remaining Babangidas in the hospital.

Lawal expressed his grief, saying, "Ibrahim Babangida and his brother Tijani Babangida are like my brothers. We played together at club and national team levels for years. Our prayers are for God to grant Ibrahim eternal rest and for Tijani's wife, who is in critical condition, to recover soon."

Other ex-internationals, including Ike Shorunmu, Victor Agali, Edema Fuludu, and Jonathan Akpoborie, were deeply saddened and felt the urgency to reach out to Tijani, who was recovering in the hospital.

"This is so sad, I have to call TJ (Tijani Babangida) immediately," Akpoborie said.

"I just got back from training and I am seeing this message from you, I have to reach out to them immediately," Agali added.

"The death of Ibrahim is very sad indeed. I spoke to him and I'm also aware his wife, son, and maid are in critical condition. We shall continue to keep them in our prayers. Ibrahim is from a unique family of footballers, with his brothers Tijani and Haruna also being footballers," said Harrison Jalla, president of PFAN Task Force.