NIGERIA’S football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed away at the age of 88.
The passing of the veteran football tactician was announced by Mrs Bolade Adeniyi on behalf of the family in a statement released on Monday, 9 March.
The family expressed gratitude to God for a life they described as impactful and fulfilled, noting that the late football administrator and community leader lived a life dedicated to service, mentorship and the development of Nigerian football.
“With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde,” the statement read.
The family added that funeral arrangements for the late elder statesman would be announced at a later date.
Born on 5 March 1938 in Modakeke, Osun State, Onigbinde rose to prominence as one of the pioneering indigenous football coaches in Nigeria. His career spanned several decades during which he played significant roles in shaping the country’s football structure.
•Adegboye Onigbinde
Onigbinde first handled the Nigerian national team in the early 1980s and led the then Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up after losing to Cameroon national football team.
Years later, he returned to the national team and guided the Nigeria national football team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, marking another defining moment in his coaching career.
During his tenure with the national team, Onigbinde was widely recognised for his emphasis on discipline and his belief in nurturing young and home-based players. He was also credited with helping bring several emerging talents into the national spotlight.
Beyond his work with the national team, the respected coach contributed immensely to football development across Africa. He served as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football and the FIFA, helping to train and mentor upcoming coaches on the continent.
Over the years, Onigbinde remained an influential voice in Nigerian football, frequently offering expert opinions on technical development, grassroots football and sports administration.
His death marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, with many stakeholders describing him as one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for the growth of indigenous coaching in the country.
Tributes are expected to pour in from football administrators, former players, government officials and fans across Nigeria and beyond as the nation mourns the loss of one of its most respected football figures.
Late Coach Onigbinde At A Glance
He was born in 1938, in Modakeke, Osun State.
He’s a football enthusiast and the first coach of the Super Eagles. He achieved this in 1981.
In 1984, he took Nigeria into the final match of the 1984 Africa Nations Cup. Sadly, Nigeria lost 1–3 to Cameroon in that match.
In the same year of 1984, coach Onigbinde took over as Shooting Stars Sports Club coach. He took the Club to the final of the Africa Club Champions Cup… Sadly, again they lost the finals to Zamalek of Egypt.
•Festus Adegboye Onigbinde
Coach Onigbinde would return to the Nigeria national team after the sack of the coaching crew of Shuaibu Amodu.
Onigbinde took the team to the 2002 Japan/South Korea World Cup. The outing appeared to be Nigeria’s worst outing at the tournament as the team got knocked out without getting a single point.
After the 2002 World Cup, some Nigerian big players, like Jay-Jay Okocha and Julius Aghahowa, criticised Onigbinde for allegedly assembling the wrong players.
Meanwhile, some of the players who went to the 2002 World Cup remained in the Super Eagles for many years.
Onigbinde is a household name in Nigeria and African football.
Before his death, he had served as a CAF and FIFA Technical instructor.
R.I.P Chief… May you find peace
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