Sports
BREAKING: Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde dies at 88
Former Super Eagles head coach, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, has died at the age of 88.
The veteran football tactician’s family confirmed his passing on Monday in a message signed by Bolade Adesuyi.
“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,” 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. 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.”
The family said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Onigbinde, who turned 88 on March 5, first coached the then Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984. He later returned as head coach in 2002, replacing the late Shuaibu Amodu, and led Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
At the tournament, Nigeria exited at the group stage after defeats to Argentina and Sweden, and a goalless draw against England.
In 1984, Onigbinde guided Nigeria to the final of the African Nations Cup, where the team lost 3–1 to Cameroon.
Later that year, he took charge of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan and led the club to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, where they were defeated by Egypt’s Zamalek.
After his coaching career, Onigbinde remained a respected figure in Nigerian football and served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
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