Jo Bonfrere, a former Nigeria Super Eagles coach, and Louis van Gaal, ex-Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester United manager, were at the head of a crowd-funding ceremony to raise funds for the surgery of Tijani Babangida’s wife, Maryam — a Kannywood actress — in the Netherlands, Completesports.com can exclusively report.
The fundraising ceremony was held on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at the Johan Cruyff Arena Amsterdam, Bonfrere told Completesports.com.
Accident Details And Family Impact
Tijani Babangida, a former Ajax Amsterdam and Super Eagles winger, was involved in an auto crash on Thursday, 10 April 2024.
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Bonfrere Jo Mobilises Dutch Business Community To Fund Surgery For Babangida’s Wife
Winner of the 1996 Olympic Games Men’s Football Gold Medal with Nigeria’s U-23 Dream Team, Tijani Babangida, his wife Maryam, his brother Ibrahim, his son, maid and nephew Fadil were involved in a ghastly accident along the Zaria–Kaduna road.
Babangida’s brother, Ibrahim, died in the accident while his wife, Maryam, sustained serious injuries requiring surgery in the Netherlands.
Babangida Supported By Van Gaal And Former Clubs
On Tuesday, No Bonfrere and Louis van Gaal were Special Guests at the fundraising ceremony at the Johan Cruyff Arena to help raise funds for the Ajax legend to meet the financial demands for his wife’s surgery.
Bonfrere, on Friday, 21 November 2025, shared his photograph with Van Gaal and Tijani Babangida at the event.
Tijani Babangida played for Ajax under Louis van Gaal from 1991 to 1996.
Babangida’s Ajax Success Under Van Gaal
Under manager Louis van Gaal (1991–1997), Ajax won eight major trophies: three Eredivisie titles (1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96), the Dutch Cup (1992–93), and the Johan Cruyff Shield three times (1993, 1994, 1995).
Ajax also won the UEFA Champions League in 1994–95 and the UEFA Cup in 1991–92 under his leadership.
Babangida’s Wife’s Surgery Funding Target
An amount thought to be in the region of €170,000 (about ₦272 million) is needed to carry out the surgery on Maryam in an undisclosed Dutch medical facility.
Also Read: Netherlands Star Reveals How His Parents Named Him After Tijani Babangida
“The crowd-funding ceremony was held at the Ajax Stadium Arena,” Bonfrere told Completesports.com Friday evening from his country home in the Netherlands.
“Van Gaal and myself were there as Special Guests to crowd-fund for Tijani Babangida’s wife’s surgery,” Bonfrere Jo said.
Ex-Super Eagle Star Receives Support From Dutch Clubs
Babangida’s former Dutch clubs — Ajax, VVV-Venlo and Roda JC — are at the forefront of raising the funds needed for his wife’s surgery, to help cover the significant medical and recovery expenses following the tragic car accident in 2024.
₦39 million has reportedly been raised so far through the online crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, with Ajax said to have pledged to cover the remaining part of the medical expenses.
By Sab Osuji
2 Comments
Since the Babangida incident what has the NFF done to show concern ., nothing right? These are the sort of things that motivate players to give their all. Current players u cannot pay attention to their wellfare and past players same. This the corner stone of the problem plaguing the Nigerian football administration and development
NFF are totally useless when it comes to player welfare.
They only care about their huge, distended stomachs.
A proper federation would make arrangements for ex players to get some kind of pension, and assist them in times of need such as this.
Unfortunate that Babangida is in a financial bind. A footballer’s career is short, and players need to manage their funds better, to prepare for life after football.