Former Super Eagles coach Chief Festus Onigbinde is dead
He died today at the age of 88
He led the team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that saw Nigeria fail to win a single match and get knocked out in the group stage.
Onigbinde had previously coached Nigeria from 1982 to 1984, leading the team to the 1984 Africa Nations Cup final, where they lost to Cameroon.
He also coached Shooting Stars Sports Club in Ibadan, taking them to the Africa Club Champions Cup final.
Onigbinde is remembered as a highly respected Nigerian soccer tactician and served as a CAF and FIFA Technical instructor.
He hails from Modakeke, Osun State
More Details
Chief Adegboye Onigbinde shot into fame when he guided Water Corporation of Ibadan to the quarter finals of the African Champions Cup in 1977. With a very limited budget, he managed to fill the vacuum created by IICC and Rangers both involved in the African Winners Cup that year.
Water Corporation eventually lost to Horoya of Guinea but Onigbinde became a household name in Nigeria immediately. He later went on to coach ICCC and the Super Eagles.
A native of Modakeke in Osun State, he led the Super Eagles to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations. He also led IICC to the final of the African Champions Cup that same year.
Family Reacts
WITH GREAT GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR A LIFE WELL SPENT.
WE ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF THIS GREAT MAN, A MODAKEKE HIGH CHIEF, THE 1ST INDEGENOUS NIGERIAN SUPER EAGLES FOOTBALL COACH, FATHER, HUSBAND, GRAND FATHER, GREAT GRAND FATHER, 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.
WE PRAY THAT YOUR SOUL WILL REST PERFECTLY IN THE BOSSOM OF YOUR & OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
GOOD NIGHT👋 TILL WE MEET TO PART NO MORE.
MRS BOLADE ADESUYI
FOR THE FAMILY
Final funeral arrangements will be communicated later.