FORMER SUPER EAGLES COACH FESTUS ONIGBINDE DIES AT 88
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Former head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.
The family confirmed his passing in a statement released to the public on Tuesday, describing the late football tactician as a revered coach who made remarkable contributions to football development in Nigeria and beyond.
According to the statement, Onigbinde, a high chief from Modakeke, lived a fulfilled life dedicated to service as a father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.
“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, who passed unto the great beyond a couple of minutes ago,” the family said.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”
The family added that details of his funeral arrangements would be announced later.
During his illustrious coaching career, Onigbinde became the first Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which was jointly hosted by South Korea and Japan.
He was widely respected for promoting young talents within the national team and is credited with introducing legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to the Super Eagles setup.
Onigbinde also guided Nigeria to a second-place finish, winning the silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations
Beyond the touchline, the Modakeke high chief played significant roles in football administration. He was among the longest-serving Africans on the technical committees of both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
He was appointed an instructor by CAF in 1988 and by FIFA in 1994, serving repeatedly as a member of their technical study groups during major international tournaments.
At home, Onigbinde also served as Head of the Technical Department of the Nigeria Football Federation and was later a member of its Technical Committee, contributing to the development of football in Nigeria for decades.
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