Celestine left his family and friends to go to Anderlecht, in Belgium. Jan Dockx, Celestine’s coach at Anderlecht says “he showed amazing aptitude in training, rising from the junior side, through the reserves and into the first time in record time.”
In 1994 Baba became the youngest ever player to appear in European Club Competition for Anderlecht against Steaua Bucharest. He was only 16. In 1995 he won a Championship medal with Anderlecht and was Belgium’s Young Player of the Year. That same year he made his debut for the full Nigerian International team against Uzbekistan at the Asian Games.
In 1996 Celestine scored one of the most important goals of his career so far, a flying header in Nigeria’s victory over Argentina in the Olympic Final. “Winning the Olympic Gold Medal is without doubt the greatest achievement of my career”. That same year he won the Ebony Boot, awarded to the best African player in Belgium League.
In June 1997 Celestine Babayaro joined Chelsea. He says “I knew faster, more attacking play in England would suit my style and everyone knows that Ruud Gullit is one of the living legends of world football, so I was honoured to know he was keen on having me in his team.” But sadly his career at Chelsea did not get off to a good start because he broke his foot in training at the beginning of the season. He only made 11 full appearances and 2 as substitute in his first season at Chelsea.
In the summer of 1998, despite his injury, Babayaro was called up by Nigeria to play in the World Cup in France. This gave him the opportunity to meet up with his ‘Eaglet’ friends, Victor Ikpeba, Tijani Babangida and Nwankwo Kanu.
Babayaro kicked off the 1998/99 season with a bang at Chelsea – a goal against Newcastle and a fine performance in the Super Cup in Monaco against Real Madrid. He says, “I have got to prove to the people of England and the fans at Chelsea that the Celestine they saw last season was really a good player”. Celestine Babayaro is now 20 years old. He is 5ft 9in and weighs 10st 12lbs. He is one of the fastest wingbacks in the Premier League. Quick and skillfull, he loves to push forward. He has impressed Chelsea fans with his pace, quick feet and heading ability, and especially with his acrobatic goal celebrations! He is steadily building up a relationship on the pitch with the England International Graeme Le Saux. He says, “I think if Graeme and I really work together we can be something else.”
By Liam Knightley
REFERENCES
Chelsea Magazine, November 1998
Chelsea Official Match Day Magazine, 2 September 1998
Chelsea Official Match Day Magazine, 10 May 1998
Ipswich Town Match Day Programme, 7 January 1998
Total Football, Issue 30, January 1998
