Tijani Babangida reveals how ex-Man United boss aided his accident recovery

Former Super Eagles and Ajax winger Tijani Babangida has revealed how former Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal aided his recovery from an accident, Afrik Foot reports.

The 52-year-old was involved in an accident that saw him suffer a knee fracture and disclocation, while his wife was badly injured. His son, however, alongside his younger brother Ibrahim, died.

Babangida holds a Dutch passport and, as such, wanted his wife to be treated in the Netherlands, but the situation was complicated.

Man United: How van Gaal helped Babangida’s recovery

Before signing for Ajax in 1996, the one-time Eredivisie winner played for Roda JC and VVV Venlo.

Speaking on the Sunday Oliseh Global Insight show, he revealed that the ex-players and staff from his time at Roda are still a close-knit bunch.

The group became aware of the unfortunate incident suffered by the ex-Super Eagles winger, and they decided to help.

“They sent their condolences and asked how they could be of help because I needed surgery and my wife had a bad injury, and I wanted to bring her to Europe.

“They mentioned they could help, and they offered to take charge of the hospital bills. They told me not to worry, that people in Holland love me.

Babangida was able to secure a visa for his wife and her brother, and was able to fly her out in two days after getting in contact with the group from Roda JC.

The group got in contact with Roda JC and the fans to help raise over 200,000 euros.

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The President of the club then reached out to Louis van Gaal, who, in turn, contacted Ajax, and the fans of both clubs and other good Samaritans in the Netherlands opted to donate to Babangida’s course, and after two years, he and his wife are almost at full recovery.

“All the bills were paid, and it’s something that I’m very grateful to the Dutch people for.

“We got the best healthcare, the hospitals too. My wife is much better now, you’ll never know she had an accident, that’s how good they were,” the former Al Ittihad man concluded.

Tijani Babangida spent over ten years of his football career in Holland, and was a household name across the country, hence why Manchester City’s Reijnders was named after him.