Nigeria’s first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Festus Onigbinde, is dead.
Onigbinde, 88, died on Monday.
The announcement was made for the family in a statement issued by Mrs. Bolade Adesuyi on Monday.
The statement reads in part:
“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, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde who passed unto the great beyond a couple of minutes ago.”
She said the family thanked God for the fulfilled life and his contributions to Nigeria and the world as an unequalled football coach.
“We pray that your soul will rest perfectly in the bossom of your and our Lord Jesus Christ.
“Good night till we meet to part no more,” the statement reads further.
Funeral arrangements, it was said, would be announced later.
Onigbinde was 88th on March 5.
He coached the national team between 1982 and 1984, winning silver at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1–3 loss to Cameroon in the final.
He first managed the then Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984 before returning to the national team in 2002, when he replaced the late Shuaibu Amodu.
He led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Nigeria crashed out of the tournament at the group stage after suffering a 1–0 defeat to Argentina and a 2–1 loss to Sweden, before playing out a goalless draw with England.
The late coach later served as the Special Adviser on Football to the Osun Government.
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