Wearing typical Nigerian clothing and with his newborn son on his arm, we speak to him. The broad smile of ‘Baba’ greets us once his network stabilizes so he can see and hear us too. What stands out is his great Dutch and his memory.
After a few amazing seasons in Limburg at VVV-Venlo and Roda JC, Babangida transferred to Amsterdam in the summer of 1996. The intended successor of Finidi George, who had just left, needed some time to show the real Tijjana. "My first season was tough because some of the guys who were part of the 'Golden Ajax' in 1995 had just left. There was a lot of pressure on the new players."
Great season
With Morten Olsen as the new head coach and a few new players like Shota Arveladze, Michael Laudrup, and Andrzej Rudy, the 1997/1998 season became an absolute highlight for Babangida. "After the first season, I felt at home and was able to show the Tijjani they saw at Roda JC. I did what I wanted, it worked and we became champion of the Netherlands."
Ajax was almost unbeatable and crowned itself to Eredivisie champion with a record goal difference of 112 goals and 22 conceded goals. 'Baba' made fourteen goals and gave nine assists. "I played with incredible players like Edwin van der Sar, Frank & Ronald de Boer, and Jari Litmanen. It was great. They played so well and that made things easier for me. They knew exactly what I wanted.” The things Laudrup managed to do, Babangida considers inimitable. “He was special and did things on the pitch that I didn’t think were normal."
Son
The Nigerian currently holds the position of chairman of the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers and recently became a dad again. "It's wonderful. He's a strong boy and I feel like a dad again", a flowing Babangida says.
With a broad smile, he shows his surroundings and starts to talk about the Dutch Cup final against PSV on May 17th, 1998. Ajax won the Eredivisie one month prior against sc Heerenveen and prepared itself for one more match against the team from Eindhoven. "PSV was very strong that season and had some good players from Belgium."
After a loss in Amsterdam and a draw in Eindhoven, Ajax had, despite its predominance in the league, not managed to win against PSV. "They were good, but we were even better. Nobody expected the final to go the way it did, it was incredible. Before the match, we told each other: 'this is it'. I think we believed more in the way we played than they did."
'I just took the shot'
Olsen's team won 5-0 and Babangida scored early on during the match in De Kuip. "PSV made a mistake and I ended up with the ball. People didn't expect Babangida to do what he did", he says laughing at the camera. "I was surrounded by PSV players and I just took the shot, and scored! That goal wasn't the typical 'Babangida style'. It was one-nil for us and the party started. I will never forget that match."
On PSV's goal stood Ronald Waterreus, a friend of the winger from Nigeria. "I knew him from my time at Roda JC. He always calls me little Smurf when I run into him. Then I started about my goal in the Dutch Cup final, which always results in fun conversations."
Right after the final whistle, Babangida ran to the sideline. "To dance, together with Sunday Oliseh." In the stands, close to the pitch, there were people with drums to create a wonderful atmosphere. "It was marvellous. Dean Gorré and Mario Melchiot joined me. We danced a lot that year, African or Brazilian. We did it all." To the question of who was the worst dancer, Babangida starts laughing out loud. "Shota, he wasn’t a very good dancer. But you can see that on the video."
After Babangida's network connection fails a few times and he makes his return to the screen, he briefly speaks about his time in Amsterdam. "If I look back at my time at Ajax, I feel at home. Amsterdam is very busy, just like Africa. There are a lot of people, loads of nationalities and there is a lot to do. I love that."
