By Ayomide Otitoju
Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has passed away at the age of 88, his family announced on Monday. The announcement, signed by family member Bolade Adesuyi, paid tribute to Onigbinde’s life and contributions.
“With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde,” the statement read.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”
Onigbinde first led the team, then known as the Green Eagles, between 1982 and 1984. He guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Nations Cup, where they were defeated 3–1 by Cameroon.
He returned to coach the Super Eagles in 2002, leading Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, succeeding the late Shuaibu Amodu.
Beyond coaching, Onigbinde also served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and other football development programs, leaving a lasting legacy in Nigerian and African football.
