Thursday, May 9, marked one of the saddest days in Nigerian football history as the country mourned the loss of one of its heroes in a tragic accident.

Retired footballer Ibrahim Babangida, who was a member of the 1993 U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets squad tragically lost his life in a motor accident.

Babangida was the brother of former Ajax winger Tijani Babangida and former Olympiacos forward Haruna Babangida.

In this piece, MyNigeriaSports reflects on the deaths of these two Nigerian players.

Ibrahim Babangida

The former Super Eagles player passed away in a fatal accident on Thursday, May 9, 2024, along the Kaduna-Zaria Road.

Reports indicate that his brother Tijani was also involved in the tragic accident.

Tijani, who is the president of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN), and other members of his family who were victims of accident are reportedly responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital, according to a statement from PFAN confirming Ibrahim's death.

Babangida was buried on Friday, May 10 in accordance with Muslim rights.

Ifeanyi George

Ifeanyi George, who was playing for NPFL side Enugu Rangers, lost his life in a car crash back in 2020.

The accident occurred on the Benin-Agbor Road while he was traveling to Lagos.

The crash also claimed the life of Emmanuel Ogbu, a member of the club's youth team, and another individual.

The players were returning to Lagos from Enugu following a break in the NPFL due to the coronavirus pandemic.

George, who won two caps for Nigeria in 2017, tragically passed away at the age of 26.

WDN