Nigeria’s football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed away at the age of 88.
His family confirmed the development on Monday in a statement signed by Bolade Adesuyi.
“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 expressed appreciation to God for what it described as a fulfilled life and Onigbinde’s immense contributions to Nigerian football and the global game.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach,” the statement added, noting that funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Onigbinde remains one of the most respected figures in Nigerian football history, having led the Nigeria national football team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
He returned to manage the national team in 2002 after an earlier stint with the then Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984.
During his first tenure, Onigbinde guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where the team finished runners-up after losing 3–1 to Cameroon national football team.
Beyond his coaching career, Onigbinde also served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, contributing to the development of football coaching across Africa.
Widely regarded as a disciplinarian and tactician, Onigbinde played a pivotal role in shaping the early technical foundations of Nigerian football and mentoring several generations of coaches and players.
