Celestine Babayaro
| Born: | 29 August 1978 |
| Birthplace: | Kaduna |
| Weight: | 69 kg |
| Height: | 1.75 m |
| Position: | Defender/Left back |
After starting his career at Plateau United, Baba played in the Nigerian team that won the World Junior Championships in 1993 and he quickly won a move to Belgium and Anderlecht in 1994 at only fifteen.
He made his international debut shortly after in November 1995 against Uzbekistan.
Celestine moved to Premiership Chelsea in the summer of 1997 and became a regular in the London side - winning two FA Cups and a Cup Winners Cup with them.
He went to the Sydney Olympics with Nigeria but missed the quarterfinals having been sent off in a prior match.
He did refuse to play at international level for a time in a row over travel expenses.
He is quick and a good tackler.
Having established his reputation in England during eight years at Chelsea, Celestine arrived at Newcastle in 2005 to replace left-back Olivier Bernard.
| Date | Against | Score | Venue | Competition | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Nov 1995 | Uzbekistan | 1-0 | LAGOS | AFRO-ASIAN CUP OF NATIONS | 2nd Leg |
| 17 Mar 1996 | Zimbabwe | 1-0 | LAGOS | Olympics | Africa 3rd Round |
| 21 Jul 1996 | Hungary | 1-0 | ORLANDO | Olympics | Finals Group D |
| 23 Jul 1996 | Japan | 2-0 | ORLANDO | Olympics | Finals Group D |
| 28 Jul 1996 | Mexico | 2-0 | Birmingham | Olympics | Quarter Final |
| 31 Jul 1996 | Brazil | 4-3 | Athens | Olympics | Semi Final |
| 03 Aug 1996 | Argentina | 3-2 | Athens | Olympics | Final |
| 09 Nov 1996 | Burkina Faso | 2-0 | National Stadium LAGOS | World Cup | Africa 2nd Round Group 1 |
| 12 Jan 1997 | Kenya | 1-1 | International SC NAIROBI | World Cup | Africa 2nd Round Group 1 |
| 05 Apr 1997 | Guinea | 2-1 | National Stadium LAGOS | World Cup | Africa 2nd Round Group 1 |
| 27 Apr 1997 | Burkina Faso | 2-1 | Stade du 4 Aout | World Cup | Africa 2nd Round Group 1 |
| 07 Jun 1997 | Kenya | 3-0 | LAGOS | World Cup | Africa 2nd Round Group 1 |
| 05 Jun 1998 | Holland | 1-5 | AMSTERDAM | International | - |
| 13 Jun 1998 | Spain | 3-2 | Stade de la Beaujoire | World Cup | Finals Group D |
| 19 Jun 1998 | Bulgaria | 1-0 | Parc des Princes | World Cup | Finals Group D |
| 28 Jun 1998 | Denmark | 1-4 | Stade de France | World Cup | Finals 2nd Round |
| 04 Oct 1998 | Burkina Faso | 0-0 | OUAGADOUGOU | African Nations Cup | Group 5 |
| 24 Jan 1999 | Burundi | 2-0 | Abeokuta | African Nations Cup | Group 5 |
| 28 Feb 1999 | Senegal | 1-1 | Stade Laopold Sadar Senghor DAKAR | African Nations Cup | Group 5 |
| 23 Jan 2000 | Tunisia | 4-2 | LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Group D |
| 28 Jan 2000 | Congo | 0-0 | LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Group D |
| 03 Feb 2000 | Morocco | 2-0 | LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Group D |
| 07 Feb 2000 | Senegal | 2-1 | LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Quarter Final |
| 10 Feb 2000 | South Africa | 2-0 | Stade Surulere LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Semi Final |
| 13 Feb 2000 | Cameroon | 2-2 | LAGOS | African Nations Cup | Final |
| 09 Apr 2000 | Eritrea | 0-0 | Denden Stadium ASMARA | World Cup | Africa 1st Round |
| 13 Sep 2000 | Honduras | 3-3 | Adelaide | Olympics | Finals Group A |
| 16 Sep 2000 | Australia | 3-2 | SYDNEY | Olympics | Finals Group A |
| 27 Jan 2001 | Sudan | 3-0 | PORT HARCOURT | World Cup | Africa Group B |
| 24 Jan 2002 | Mali | 0-0 | Stade du 26 Mars BAMAKO | African Nations Cup | Finals Group A |
| 26 Mar 2002 | Paraguay | 1-1 | Loftus Road | International | - |
| 02 Jun 2002 | Argentina | 0-1 | Kashima Stadium | World Cup | Finals Group F |
| 07 Jun 2002 | Sweden | 1-2 | Wing Stadium KOBE | World Cup | Finals Group F |
| 27 Jan 2004 | Morocco | 0-1 | Stade Mustapha Ben Jannet | African Nations Cup | Finals Group D |