Former Super Eagles Coach, Jo Bonfrere, has exclusively informed Completesports.com that he is mobilising business people in the Netherlands to raise funds for the medical treatment of injured Tijani Babangida’s wife.
Babangida Family Involved In Tragic Auto Crash
In May 2024, Tijani Babangida, a former Super Eagles winger, and his family were involved in an auto crash along the Kaduna–Zaria Road. His younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida, died in the accident, while his wife was hospitalised with severe injuries.
Bonfrere Confirms Dutch Fundraising Efforts
On Friday, 5 September 2025, Bonfrere told Completesports.com from his base in the Netherlands that he had been rallying the Dutch business community to raise funds for Babangida’s wife’s surgery.
Also Read: Sports Minister Commiserates With Babangida, Family Following Tragic Accident
“I could not talk then because we did fundraising the whole evening,” Bonfrere wrote in a tacit response to Completesports.com’s calls to him on Wednesday evening.
“We did crowdfunding for Babangida and his wife to bring money together for the payment of the operations,” the 79-year-old coach explained.
Bonfrere Jo later forwarded a short video clip of the fundraising ceremony to Completesports.com.
“These are the business people we must ask to bring the money for paying the hospital bills.
“Thank you for your understanding that evening,” he added, referring to when he could not answer calls from Completesports.com.
The late Ibrahim Babangida was part of Nigeria’s victorious Golden Eaglets squad that won the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Japan, under the guidance of Head Coach Ambassador Fanny Amun.
By Sab Osuji