A former Chief Coach of Super Eagles, Chief Festus
Adegboye Onigbinde is dead.
Onigbinde died Monday evening at his hometown of Modakeke, Osun State.
Adegboye Onigbinde was born in 1938 and was a pioneering Nigerian football coach, known as the first indigenous manager to lead the Super Eagles to a FIFA World Cup (2002).
He was 88 years of age.
His daugher, Mrs Bolade Adesuyi announced his death on behalf of the family on Monday, March 9, 2026.
The statement reads : ” WITH GREAT GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR A LIFE WELL SPENT.
“WE ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF THIS GREAT MAN, A MODAKEKE HIGH CHIEF, THE 1ST INDIGENOUS 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 BOSOM OF
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.”
A former CAF/FIFA technical instructor, Onigbinde led Nigeria to the 1984 AFCON final and was recognized for promoting youth in Nigerian football.
Key Highlights of his
National Team Career include coaching the Green/Super Eagles in two main stints: 1982–1984 (winning silver at the 1984 AFCON) and 2002.
World Cup 2002: Appointed to rebuild the team after a poor 2002 AFCON, he introduced young players like Vincent Enyeama to the squad.
Other Roles: Led Shooting Stars FC to the 1984 African Cup Champions Cup final.
He also acted as a technical instructor for FIFA and CAF starting in the 1980s/90s and held positions in the NFF Technical Department.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
