Former Super Eagles coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea, has recently passed away.
His family announced his death on Monday through a WhatsApp message signed by a family member, Bolade Adesuyi.
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.
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“We pray that your soul will rest perfectly in the bosom of your and our Lord Jesus Christ. Good night, till we meet to part no more.”
The family added that details of his funeral arrangements would be announced later.
In this article, Sporting Tribune takes a look at six things to know about the late football tactician.
Onigbinde was born on March 5, 1938, in Modakeke, Osun State, and later became one of Nigeria’s most respected football tacticians.
Onigbinde managed the Nigerian national team on two occasions. His first stint was between 1981 and 1984 before his second spell, when he led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
During his first spell as national team coach, he guided the then Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished runners-up after losing to Cameroon.
Onigbinde became the first indigenous Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup when he managed the team at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
Beyond his coaching career, he served as a technical instructor for FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), where he helped train and mentor coaches across the continent.
The veteran coach died on March 9, 2026, just days after celebrating his 88th birthday, bringing to an end a long career devoted to Nigerian football.
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