Onigbinde, Former Super Eagles Coach, Dies At 88

Festus Onigbinde, former Super Eagles of Nigeria coach, has died at the age of 88 years.
A statement signed by the family and released to the public announced the passing of the widely respected coach.

He was described as an unequalled football coach who contributed to both football and community development.

“We announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke high chief, the 1st 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.”

“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigeria nation and the world as a unequalled football coach.”

The family added that it would communicate funeral arrangements later.

Onigbinde distinguished his glittering football coaching career as the first Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles to the biggest global football event, the FIFA World Cup in 2002 hosted by South Korea and Japan.

He was known for injecting youth into the national team, and is credited with introducing Vincent Enyeama into Eagles where he attained legendary status. He also led the national team to second place and silver medal at the 1984 AFCON tournament.

Away from the coaching dugout, the Modakeke high chief was one of the longest-serving Africans in the technical committees of both CAF and FIFA. He was appointed instructor by CAf and FIFA in 1988 and 1994 respectively, and was a recurring member of their technical study groups for major tournaments.

On the home front, Chief Oniginde was Head of the NFF Technical Department, and later served as a member of its Technical Committee.