Celestine Babayaro

Date of birth29 August 1978
Place of birthKaduna
NationalityNigerian
Weight69 kg
Height1.75 m
PositionDefender/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.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Anderlecht 01 Jul 1994 20 Jun 1997
Chelsea 20 Jun 1997 01 Jan 2005
Newcastle United 01 Jan 2005 11 Dec 2007
Portsmouth 07 Jul 2008 11 Jul 2008 T

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1997-98 Chelsea League Cup 1
1
1997-98 Chelsea Premier League 8
2
1997-98 Chelsea UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 2
1
1998-99 Chelsea FA Cup 4
1
2
1998-99 Chelsea League Cup 3
1
1998-99 Chelsea Premier League 26
2
3
6
1998-99 Chelsea UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 6
1
1
1998-99 Chelsea UEFA Super Cup 1
1
1999-00 Chelsea FA Cup 1
1999-00 Chelsea Premier League 23
2
3
1999-00 Chelsea UEFA Champions League 14
1
2
1
1
2000-01 Chelsea FA Charity Shield 1
2000-01 Chelsea FA Cup 2
2000-01 Chelsea League Cup 1
2000-01 Chelsea Premier League 19
5
4
2001-02 Chelsea FA Cup 4
2001-02 Chelsea League Cup 3
1
1
2001-02 Chelsea Premier League 18
6
2001-02 Chelsea UEFA Cup 2
2002-03 Chelsea FA Cup 3
1
2002-03 Chelsea League Cup 2
2002-03 Chelsea Premier League 16
3
1
3
1
2003-04 Chelsea FA Cup 2
2003-04 Chelsea League Cup 3
2003-04 Chelsea Premier League 5
1
1
2003-04 Chelsea UEFA Champions League 3
2004-05 Chelsea League Cup 1
2004-05 Chelsea Premier League 3
1
1
2004-05 Newcastle United FA Cup 4
1
2004-05 Newcastle United Premier League 7
1
2004-05 Newcastle United UEFA Cup 2
2005-06 Newcastle United FA Cup 3
2005-06 Newcastle United League Cup 1
2005-06 Newcastle United Premier League 26
2
3
1
2005-06 Newcastle United UEFA Intertoto Cup 3
2006-07 Newcastle United League Cup 2
1
2006-07 Newcastle United Premier League 12
5
2006-07 Newcastle United UEFA Cup 4
2006-07 Newcastle United UEFA Intertoto Cup 2


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
02 Oct 1997 Slovan Bratislava v Chelsea W 0-2 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 1st round 2nd leg
15 Oct 1997 Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers W 1-1 (4-1) League Cup 3rd round
18 Oct 1997 Chelsea v Leicester City W 1-0 Premier League
23 Oct 1997 Tromso v Chelsea L 3-2 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 2nd round 1st leg
26 Oct 1997 Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
01 Nov 1997 Aston Villa v Chelsea W 0-2 Premier League
06 Nov 1997 Chelsea v Tromso W 7-1 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 2nd round 2nd leg
09 Nov 1997 Chelsea v West Ham United W 2-1 Premier League
19 Nov 1997 Chelsea v Southampton W 2-1 League Cup 4th round
22 Nov 1997 Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
26 Nov 1997 Chelsea v Everton W 2-0 Premier League
29 Nov 1997 Chelsea v Derby County W 4-0 Premier League
06 Dec 1997 Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea W 1-6 Premier League
15 Aug 1998 Coventry City v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
22 Aug 1998 Chelsea v Newcastle United D 1-1 Premier League
28 Aug 1998 Chelsea v Real Madrid W 1-0 UEFA Super Cup Final
09 Sep 1998 Chelsea v Arsenal D 0-0 Premier League
12 Sep 1998 Chelsea v Nottingham Forest W 2-1 Premier League
17 Sep 1998 Chelsea v Helsingborgs W 1-0 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 1st round 1st leg
21 Sep 1998 Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea W 3-4 Premier League
26 Sep 1998 Chelsea v Middlesbrough W 2-0 Premier League
01 Oct 1998 Helsingborgs v Chelsea D 0-0 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 1st round 2nd leg
17 Oct 1998 Chelsea v Charlton Athletic W 2-1 Premier League
25 Oct 1998 Leeds United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
28 Oct 1998 Chelsea v Aston Villa W 4-1 League Cup 3rd round
05 Nov 1998 FC Kobenhavn v Chelsea W 0-1 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 2nd round 2nd leg
08 Nov 1998 West Ham United v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
11 Nov 1998 Arsenal v Chelsea W 0-5 League Cup 4th round
14 Nov 1998 Chelsea v Wimbledon W 3-0 Premier League
21 Nov 1998 Leicester City v Chelsea W 2-4 Premier League
28 Nov 1998 Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday D 1-1 Premier League
01 Dec 1998 Wimbledon v Chelsea L 2-1 League Cup Quarter-final
05 Dec 1998 Everton v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
09 Dec 1998 Chelsea v Aston Villa W 2-1 Premier League
12 Dec 1998 Derby County v Chelsea D 2-2 Premier League
16 Dec 1998 Manchester United v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
19 Dec 1998 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur W 2-0 Premier League
26 Dec 1998 Southampton v Chelsea W 0-2 Premier League
29 Dec 1998 Chelsea v Manchester United D 0-0 Premier League
02 Jan 1999 Oldham Athletic v Chelsea W 0-2 FA Cup 3rd round
16 Jan 1999 Chelsea v Coventry City W 2-1 Premier League
25 Jan 1999 Oxford United v Chelsea D 1-1 FA Cup 4th round
31 Jan 1999 Arsenal v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
03 Feb 1999 Chelsea v Oxford United W 4-2 FA Cup 4th round replay
06 Feb 1999 Chelsea v Southampton W 1-0 Premier League
13 Feb 1999 Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea W 0-1 FA Cup 5th round
17 Feb 1999 Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers D 1-1 Premier League
20 Feb 1999 Nottingham Forest v Chelsea W 1-3 Premier League
04 Mar 1999 Chelsea v Valerenga W 3-0 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-final 1st leg
10 Mar 1999 Chelsea v Manchester United L 0-2 FA Cup Quarter-final replay
13 Mar 1999 Chelsea v West Ham United L 0-1 Premier League
18 Mar 1999 Valerenga v Chelsea W 2-3 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup Quarter-final 2nd leg
08 Apr 1999 Chelsea v Real Mallorca D 1-1 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup Semi-final 1st leg
22 Apr 1999 Real Mallorca v Chelsea L 1-0 UEFA European Cup Winners Cup Semi-final 2nd leg
25 Apr 1999 Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
01 May 1999 Chelsea v Everton W 3-1 Premier League
16 May 1999 Chelsea v Derby County W 2-1 Premier League
07 Aug 1999 Chelsea v Sunderland W 4-0 Premier League
11 Aug 1999 Chelsea v Skonto Riga W 3-0 UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 1st leg
14 Aug 1999 Leicester City v Chelsea D 2-2 Premier League
21 Aug 1999 Chelsea v Aston Villa W 1-0 Premier League
25 Aug 1999 Skonto Riga v Chelsea D 0-0
Agg: 0-3
UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 2nd leg
28 Aug 1999 Wimbledon v Chelsea W 0-1 Premier League
11 Sep 1999 Chelsea v Newcastle United W 1-0 Premier League
15 Sep 1999 Chelsea v AC Milan D 0-0 UEFA Champions League Group H
21 Sep 1999 Hertha Berlin v Chelsea L 2-1 UEFA Champions League Group H
25 Sep 1999 Middlesbrough v Chelsea W 0-1 Premier League
28 Sep 1999 Chelsea v Galatasaray W 1-0 UEFA Champions League Group H
03 Oct 1999 Chelsea v Manchester United W 5-0 Premier League
16 Oct 1999 Liverpool v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
20 Oct 1999 Galatasaray v Chelsea W 0-5 UEFA Champions League Group H
23 Oct 1999 Chelsea v Arsenal L 2-3 Premier League
26 Oct 1999 AC Milan v Chelsea D 1-1 UEFA Champions League Group H
30 Oct 1999 Derby County v Chelsea L 3-1 Premier League
03 Nov 1999 Chelsea v Hertha Berlin W 2-0 UEFA Champions League Group H
07 Nov 1999 Chelsea v West Ham United D 0-0 Premier League
20 Nov 1999 Everton v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
24 Nov 1999 Chelsea v Feyenoord W 3-1 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
28 Nov 1999 Chelsea v Bradford City W 1-0 Premier League
04 Dec 1999 Sunderland v Chelsea L 4-1 Premier League
07 Dec 1999 Lazio v Chelsea D 0-0 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
26 Dec 1999 Southampton v Chelsea W 1-2 Premier League
29 Dec 1999 Chelsea v Sheffield Wednesday W 3-0 Premier League
04 Jan 2000 Coventry City v Chelsea D 2-2 Premier League
08 Jan 2000 Bradford City v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
04 Mar 2000 Newcastle United v Chelsea W 0-1 Premier League
08 Mar 2000 Chelsea v Olympique Marseille W 1-0 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
11 Mar 2000 Chelsea v Everton D 1-1 Premier League
14 Mar 2000 Feyenoord v Chelsea W 1-3 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
18 Mar 2000 West Ham United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
22 Mar 2000 Chelsea v Lazio L 1-2 UEFA Champions League Phase 2 group D
01 Apr 2000 Leeds United v Chelsea W 0-1 Premier League
05 Apr 2000 Chelsea v Barcelona W 3-1 UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 1st leg
15 Apr 2000 Sheffield Wednesday v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
18 Apr 2000 Barcelona v Chelsea L 5-1
Agg: 6-4
UEFA Champions League Quarter-final 2nd leg
29 Apr 2000 Chelsea v Liverpool W 2-0 Premier League
14 May 2000 Chelsea v Derby County W 4-0 Premier League
20 May 2000 Aston Villa v Chelsea W 0-1 FA Cup Final
13 Aug 2000 Chelsea v Manchester United W 2-0 FA Charity Shield
19 Aug 2000 Chelsea v West Ham United W 4-2 Premier League
22 Aug 2000 Bradford City v Chelsea L 2-0 Premier League
27 Aug 2000 Aston Villa v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
06 Sep 2000 Chelsea v Arsenal D 2-2 Premier League
01 Oct 2000 Chelsea v Liverpool W 3-0 Premier League
14 Oct 2000 Sunderland v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
21 Oct 2000 Chelsea v Coventry City W 6-1 Premier League
28 Oct 2000 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur W 3-0 Premier League
01 Nov 2000 Liverpool v Chelsea L 2-1 League Cup 3rd round
04 Nov 2000 Southampton v Chelsea L 3-2 Premier League
12 Nov 2000 Chelsea v Leeds United D 1-1 Premier League
18 Nov 2000 Charlton Athletic v Chelsea L 2-0 Premier League
03 Dec 2000 Chelsea v Manchester City W 2-1 Premier League
09 Dec 2000 Chelsea v Derby County W 4-1 Premier League
06 Jan 2001 Chelsea v Peterborough United W 5-0 FA Cup 3rd round
20 Jan 2001 Chelsea v Ipswich Town W 4-1 Premier League
31 Jan 2001 Chelsea v Newcastle United W 3-1 Premier League
03 Feb 2001 Leicester City v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
10 Feb 2001 Chelsea v Manchester United D 1-1 Premier League
18 Feb 2001 Arsenal v Chelsea L 3-1 FA Cup 5th round
31 Mar 2001 Chelsea v Middlesbrough W 2-1 Premier League
07 Apr 2001 Derby County v Chelsea W 0-4 Premier League
17 Apr 2001 Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea W 0-3 Premier League
28 Apr 2001 Leeds United v Chelsea L 2-0 Premier League
05 May 2001 Chelsea v Everton W 2-1 Premier League
08 May 2001 Liverpool v Chelsea D 2-2 Premier League
19 May 2001 Manchester City v Chelsea W 1-2 Premier League
23 Sep 2001 Chelsea v Middlesbrough D 2-2 Premier League
27 Sep 2001 Levski Sofia v Chelsea W 0-2
Agg: 0-5
UEFA Cup 1st round 2nd leg
30 Sep 2001 Fulham v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
09 Oct 2001 Coventry City v Chelsea W 0-2 League Cup 3rd round
13 Oct 2001 Chelsea v Leicester City W 2-0 Premier League
18 Oct 2001 Hapoel Tel Aviv v Chelsea L 2-0 UEFA Cup 2nd round 1st leg
21 Oct 2001 Leeds United v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
04 Nov 2001 Chelsea v Ipswich Town W 2-1 Premier League
18 Nov 2001 Everton v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
28 Nov 2001 Leeds United v Chelsea W 0-2 League Cup 4th round
01 Dec 2001 Manchester United v Chelsea W 0-3 Premier League
05 Dec 2001 Chelsea v Charlton Athletic L 0-1 Premier League
09 Dec 2001 Sunderland v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
12 Dec 2001 Chelsea v Newcastle United W 1-0 League Cup Quarter-final
16 Dec 2001 Chelsea v Liverpool W 4-0 Premier League
26 Dec 2001 Arsenal v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
29 Dec 2001 Newcastle United v Chelsea W 1-2 Premier League
01 Jan 2002 Chelsea v Southampton L 2-4 Premier League
05 Jan 2002 Norwich City v Chelsea D 0-0 FA Cup 3rd round
09 Jan 2002 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur W 2-1 League Cup Semi-final 1st leg
17 Feb 2002 Chelsea v Preston North End W 3-1 FA Cup 5th round
02 Mar 2002 Charlton Athletic v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
06 Mar 2002 Chelsea v Fulham W 3-2 Premier League
10 Mar 2002 Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea W 0-4 FA Cup Quarter-final
13 Mar 2002 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur W 4-0 Premier League
16 Mar 2002 Chelsea v Sunderland W 4-0 Premier League
24 Mar 2002 Liverpool v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
04 May 2002 Arsenal v Chelsea L 2-0 FA Cup Final
17 Aug 2002 Charlton Athletic v Chelsea W 2-3 Premier League
23 Aug 2002 Chelsea v Manchester United D 2-2 Premier League
28 Aug 2002 Southampton v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
11 Sep 2002 Blackburn Rovers v Chelsea W 2-3 Premier League
03 Nov 2002 Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
06 Nov 2002 Chelsea v Gillingham W 2-1 League Cup 3rd round
09 Nov 2002 Chelsea v Birmingham City W 3-0 Premier League
16 Nov 2002 Chelsea v Middlesbrough W 1-0 Premier League
23 Nov 2002 Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
04 Dec 2002 Chelsea v Everton W 4-1 League Cup 4th round
21 Dec 2002 Chelsea v Aston Villa W 2-0 Premier League
26 Dec 2002 Chelsea v Southampton D 0-0 Premier League
01 Jan 2003 Arsenal v Chelsea L 3-2 Premier League
04 Jan 2003 Chelsea v Middlesbrough W 1-0 FA Cup 3rd round
11 Jan 2003 Chelsea v Charlton Athletic W 4-1 Premier League
18 Jan 2003 Manchester United v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
26 Jan 2003 Shrewsbury Town v Chelsea W 0-4 FA Cup 4th round
28 Jan 2003 Chelsea v Leeds United W 3-2 Premier League
22 Feb 2003 Chelsea v Blackburn Rovers L 1-2 Premier League
01 Mar 2003 Newcastle United v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
08 Mar 2003 Arsenal v Chelsea D 2-2 FA Cup Quarter-final
19 Apr 2003 Aston Villa v Chelsea L 2-1 Premier League
03 May 2003 West Ham United v Chelsea L 1-0 Premier League
11 May 2003 Chelsea v Liverpool W 2-1 Premier League
26 Aug 2003 Chelsea v ŠK Žilina W 3-0
Agg: 5-0
UEFA Champions League 3rd qualifying round 2nd leg
13 Sep 2003 Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur W 4-2 Premier League
20 Sep 2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Chelsea W 0-5 Premier League
01 Oct 2003 Chelsea v Besiktas L 0-2 UEFA Champions League Group G
29 Oct 2003 Chelsea v Notts County W 4-2 League Cup 3rd round
03 Dec 2003 Reading v Chelsea W 0-1 League Cup 4th round
09 Dec 2003 Besiktas v Chelsea W 0-2 UEFA Champions League Group G
17 Dec 2003 Aston Villa v Chelsea L 2-1 League Cup 5th round
03 Jan 2004 Watford v Chelsea D 2-2 FA Cup 3rd round
11 Jan 2004 Leicester City v Chelsea W 0-4 Premier League
14 Jan 2004 Chelsea v Watford W 4-0 FA Cup 3rd round replay
27 Mar 2004 Chelsea v Wolverhampton Wanderers W 5-2 Premier League
10 Apr 2004 Chelsea v Middlesbrough D 0-0 Premier League
08 May 2004 Manchester United v Chelsea D 1-1 Premier League
24 Aug 2004 Crystal Palace v Chelsea W 0-2 Premier League
11 Sep 2004 Aston Villa v Chelsea D 0-0 Premier League
27 Oct 2004 Chelsea v West Ham United W 1-0 League Cup 3rd round
06 Nov 2004 Chelsea v Everton W 1-0 Premier League
27 Nov 2004 Charlton Athletic v Chelsea W 0-4 Premier League


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1995-96 Nigeria Afro-Asian Cup of Nations 1
1995-96 Nigeria Olympics 1
1996-97 Nigeria FIFA World Cup 4
1
1996-97 Nigeria Olympics 5
2
1997-98 Nigeria FIFA World Cup 3
1997-98 Nigeria International Friendly 1
1998-99 Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations 3
1
1999-00 Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations 6
1999-00 Nigeria FIFA World Cup 1
2000-01 Nigeria FIFA World Cup
1
2000-01 Nigeria Olympics 2
1
2001-02 Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations 1
2001-02 Nigeria FIFA World Cup 2
2001-02 Nigeria International Friendly 1
2003-04 Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations 1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
10 Nov 1995 Nigeria v Uzbekistan W 1-0 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations 2nd leg
17 Mar 1996 Nigeria v Zimbabwe W 1-0 Olympics Africa 3rd round
21 Jul 1996 Nigeria v Hungary W 1-0 Olympics Finals Group D
23 Jul 1996 Nigeria v Japan W 2-0 Olympics Finals Group D
28 Jul 1996 Nigeria v Mexico W 2-0 Olympics Quarter-final
31 Jul 1996 Nigeria v Brazil W 4-3 Olympics Semi-final
03 Aug 1996 Nigeria v Argentina W 3-2 Olympics Final
09 Nov 1996 Nigeria v Burkina Faso W 2-0 FIFA World Cup Africa 2nd round group 1
12 Jan 1997 Kenya v Nigeria D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Africa 2nd round group 1
05 Apr 1997 Nigeria v Guinea W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Africa 2nd round group 1
27 Apr 1997 Burkina Faso v Nigeria W 1-2 FIFA World Cup Africa 2nd round group 1
07 Jun 1997 Nigeria v Kenya W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Africa 2nd round group 1
05 Jun 1998 Netherlands v Nigeria L 5-1 International Friendly
13 Jun 1998 Spain v Nigeria W 2-3 FIFA World Cup Finals Group D
19 Jun 1998 Nigeria v Bulgaria W 1-0 FIFA World Cup Finals Group D
28 Jun 1998 Nigeria v Denmark L 1-4 FIFA World Cup Finals 2nd round
04 Oct 1998 Burkina Faso v Nigeria D 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group 5
24 Jan 1999 Nigeria v Burundi W 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group 5
28 Feb 1999 Senegal v Nigeria D 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations Group 5
23 Jan 2000 Nigeria v Tunisia W 4-2 Africa Cup of Nations Group D
28 Jan 2000 Nigeria v Congo D 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group D
03 Feb 2000 Nigeria v Morocco W 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations Group D
07 Feb 2000 Nigeria v Senegal W 2-1 Africa Cup of Nations Quarter-final
10 Feb 2000 Nigeria v South Africa W 2-0 Africa Cup of Nations Semi-final
13 Feb 2000 Nigeria v Cameroon L 2-2 (3-4) Africa Cup of Nations Final
09 Apr 2000 Eritrea v Nigeria D 0-0 FIFA World Cup Africa 1st round
13 Sep 2000 Nigeria v Honduras D 3-3 Olympics Finals Group A
16 Sep 2000 Australia v Nigeria W 2-3 Olympics Finals Group A
27 Jan 2001 Nigeria v Sudan W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Africa group B
24 Jan 2002 Mali v Nigeria D 0-0 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Group A
26 Mar 2002 Nigeria v Paraguay D 1-1 International Friendly
02 Jun 2002 Argentina v Nigeria L 1-0 FIFA World Cup Finals group F
07 Jun 2002 Sweden v Nigeria L 2-1 FIFA World Cup Finals group F
27 Jan 2004 Nigeria v Morocco L 0-1 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Group D


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.