10.3.2026
Former Super Eagles coach and later CAF and FIFA technical study group member Festus Onigbinde died at 88 Monday and his son Oyekunle Onigbinde, said the legendary coach was tired of fighting sickness and had to go.
Olakunle who is the last child of coach Onigbinde told NAN in an interview Tuesday in Ibadan, Oyo State that his dad fought to stay alive.
“He fought well to stay alive. He was sick, but due to old age, his body couldn’t fight any more.
“My father was very accommodating; he pulled everyone together.
“He didn’t care who you were; he just wanted everyone happy and united.
“He was the string that knitted many together,” he said.
Coach Onigbinde managed the Shoot Stars Sports Club of Ibadan in the early stage of his career and in 1982 was handed the job of the Super Eagles, he was the first Nigerian born coach to handle the national team. In 1984 he led the team to a silver finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’ Ivoire.
And in 2002 the Nigeria Football Federation tapped him to lead the Super Eagles to the World Cup hosted by Korea and Japan.
Meanwhile President Bola Tinubu has sent his condolences to his family.
The message read: “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.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”
Coach Fetus Onigbinde...