Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has died at the age of 88, his family confirmed on Monday.
The announcement was made through a WhatsApp broadcast message signed by Bolade Adesuyi on behalf of the family.
The statement described Onigbinde as a revered traditional chief, football pioneer, and devoted family man.
“With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke, 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 message read.
Born on March 5, 1938, Onigbinde was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern football coaching in Nigeria.
He made history as the first indigenous Nigerian to coach the national team.
During his coaching career, Onigbinde led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished with a silver medal after losing to Cameroon national football team.
He later returned to manage the Super Eagles following the dismissal of the coaching crew led by Shuaibu Amodu after Nigeria’s disappointing outing at the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations.
Onigbinde subsequently guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, where he assembled a squad largely made up of young and relatively inexperienced players.
However, the tournament ended in disappointment as Nigeria failed to record a victory and exited at the group stage, the country’s worst performance at the World Cup.
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The Super Eagles lost their opening match 0–1 to the Argentina national football team, with Gabriel Batistuta scoring the decisive goal.
In their second match against the Sweden national football team, Nigeria suffered a 1–2 defeat despite taking an early lead, confirming their elimination from the tournament.
The team later held the England national football team to a goalless draw in their final group game.
Following the tournament, some Nigerian players, including Jay-Jay Okocha and Julius Aghahowa, criticised Onigbinde over what they described as questionable player selections for the World Cup squad.
Despite the criticism, several players from that team later went on to enjoy long and successful careers with the Super Eagles.
Beyond his coaching career, Onigbinde remained a respected figure in Nigerian football.
He later served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, contributing to the development of coaching across Africa.
His death marks the end of an era for Nigerian football, where he is remembered for his pioneering role and lasting impact on the development of the sport in the country.
