Babangida rules out Ajax return

Babangida has competition from four players at Ajax

Nigerian international Tijani Babangida says he does not want to return to Dutch league leaders Ajax Amsterdam once he finishes his loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem.

Even though Ajax look set to win the championship and compete in next year's Uefa Champions League, Dutch press reports say the Super Eagles star has ruled out going back.

The future of the 28-year-old winger will be discussed at Ajax in the coming days, as Arnhem have already indicated they will not seek an extension to the deal for next season.

Babangida, a member of the Super Eagles squad at the recent African Nations Cup finals in Mali, is contracted to Ajax until 2004.

But his agent revealed his client is very reluctant to return to Amsterdam.

No regular place

"Baba does not want to go back," Ger Lagendijk told reporters.

"But his future is dependent on what Ajax want to do with him."

Koeman took TJ to Arnhem

"He got a chance this season to play at Vitesse but at Ajax they already have four right wingers and he is not assured of regular playing time there next season."

Ajax had previously loaned Babangida out to the Turkish club Genclerbirligi, but that also proved to be an unhappy time for the player, whose best friends get to call him "TJ".

This season Babangida has netted just one goal for Vitesse, whose coach Ronald Koeman ironically moved to Ajax in December.