Former Super Eagles coach Festus Adegboye Onigbinde has died at the age of 88. His family confirmed his passing in a statement signed by Mrs. Bolade Adesuyi, stating that the respected football figure and community leader died on Monday, March 9.
The statement described him as a Modakeke High Chief, Nigeria’s first indigenous coach of the national team, and a devoted father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. The family expressed gratitude to God for what they described as a fulfilled life, praising his lasting contributions to Nigerian football and the nation as a whole. They also prayed for his soul to rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord.
Onigbinde made history as Nigeria’s first indigenous coach of the national team, initially managing the then Green Eagles between 1983 and 1984. During his tenure, he guided Nigeria to a silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished as runners-up after losing to Cameroon national football team in the final.He later returned to lead the Super Eagles at the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. Onigbinde is remembered as one of the pioneers of modern Nigerian football coaching and a respected figure in the country’s sporting history.
Source: https://m.lindaikejisblog.com/l
