By Ghazali Ibrahim
Former Super Eagles head coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde has died at the age of 88, bringing to an end the life of one of Nigeria’s most respected football tacticians and administrators.
His death was confirmed on Monday by members of his family in a statement signed by Bolade Adesuyi.
The family described him as a devoted father, husband and community leader who made immense contributions to Nigerian football.
Onigbinde, a High Chief of Modakeke in Osun State, was widely regarded as a pioneer of indigenous football coaching in Nigeria and a strong advocate for the development of local coaches in the country.
Born in 1938 in Modakeke, Osun State, Onigbinde built a long career in football coaching and administration, becoming one of the earliest Nigerian tacticians to handle the national team at a time when foreign coaches dominated the role.
He first coached Nigeria’s national team between 1981 and 1984, guiding the country to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished as runners-up after losing to Cameroon.
Nearly two decades later, he returned for a second stint as national team coach and led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, becoming one of the few indigenous coaches to manage the team at the global tournament.
At club level, Onigbinde also coached Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, leading the team to the final of the Africa Club Champions Cup in 1984, further cementing his reputation as one of Nigeria’s top football strategists.
Beyond the touchline, Onigbinde remained an influential voice in Nigerian football for decades, often speaking on issues affecting the sport and advocating better structures for developing local coaches and players.
His passing has been widely described as the loss of a football patriarch whose impact spanned generations of Nigerian players, coaches and administrators.
Funeral arrangements, according to the family, will be announced at a later date.
