Tijani Babangida harps on players unity, thanks former colleagues at Roda JC for support

By Nnamdi Okosieme

Former Nigeria international, Tijani Babangida, has called on retired footballers in Nigeria to set aside their differences and work together in the interest of the sport.

The former Super Eagles winger said it is only through unity that they can achieve their goals and aspirations.

Babangida, who is President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria(PFAN), was recently involved in a ghastly motor accident, which resulted in the death of his younger brother Ibrahim and his son Fadeel with his wife sustaining serious injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in a European hospital courtesy of his former teammates at Dutch club, of Roda JC, noted that the support he got from the former players of Roda JC was only possible because of the unity among them former.

His former colleagues have gone a step further to make him more relaxed and take his mind away from the accident by hosting him to a ‘Get Well Dinner. They have reiterated their commitment to ensuring total support for him and his wife until they recover fully.

TJ as he is most called by his admirers stressed that this is what is expected of a players Union rather than fighting for what does not matter at all.

He said: “This is what players must do. Players must be there for each other during and after football because they have become one family as a result”, he said.

Babangida who was filled with gratitude noted that his desire is to see such a generous and supportive spirit among Nigerian players both active and retired.

“We cannot wait for outsiders to support and assist us all the time. We must put programmes in place to support ourselves just as it is here in Europe and other advanced countries. Each generation of players must watch out for themselves, put programmes in place that they can easily fall back on.

“We will gain nothing fighting ourselves. We can only gain if we come together to support ourselves. This is my prayer and this is what I will pursue when I return to Nigeria”, he said.

The former Eagles winger who also starred for Ajam FC of Amsterdam also in Holland, said words were not enough to express his gratitude to his former colleagues at Roda JC.

“I am seriously overwhelmed and grateful,” he stated.