Babangida's international chances were partly limited due to the fact that he often found himself behind Finidi George in the pecking order.[1] He played an important role in his team's Olympic triumph in Atlanta in 1996,[35] as Nigeria overcame tough resistance from Brazil and Argentina, packed with the likes of Dida, Roberto Carlos, Bebeto, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Hernan Crespo, Claudio López, Ariel Ortega and Diego Simeone among others.[36][37][38] Babangida took part in Nigeria's 1998 World Cup campaign, playing a total of 120 minutes as he started one game and came on as a sub in the other three.