Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of former Super Eagles coach, Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.
The governor described the death of the Modakeke-born football icon, who died on Monday at the age of 88, as a great loss to Nigeria, particularly to football lovers.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, said Onigbinde, who led the Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations and took the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, was a legend.
He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the Onigbinde family, the Osun State Government and the Nigerian Football Federation over the passing of the former national coach.
“The death of Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde is a painful loss to the country. Nigeria has lost a legend and national icon. He was one of the best Nigerian coaches in football history. He was a highly respected Nigerian soccer tactician and served as a CAF and FIFA Technical Instructor for many years.
“Chief Onigbinde served Nigeria passionately as coach of the Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984, guiding Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations. In 1984, he also coached the Shooting Stars Sports Club in Ibadan and took the club to the final of the Africa Club Champions Cup. He was also recalled at a crucial period to coach the Super Eagles during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
“He was a respected football icon and leader who made positive impacts during his lifetime. He would be sorely missed. I want to urge his family, friends, colleagues, and football fans to accept the death of Chief Adegboye Onigbinde as the will of God.
“I pray to God for eternal peace for the late Chief Adegboye Onigbinde and grant the family, friends and football fans the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Sanwo-Olu prayed.
Globally respected for his deep tactical knowledge, Onigbinde, who died on Monday evening, served as Technical Director of the NFF and Technical Adviser of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for youth teams.
He also served for many years as a technical adviser to the Confederation of African Football and participated in several Technical Study Groups of FIFA and CAF at major championships.
Onigbinde began his coaching career in the 1960s and gained national recognition in 1977 after leading Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Champions Cup.
In 1984, he guided Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan to the final of the same continental competition, further establishing his reputation as a top tactician.
A renowned teacher and instructor, he became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior national team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He achieved the feat in 1984, winning a silver medal in Cote d’Ivoire with a team largely made up of rookies and a few experienced players.
Onigbinde later led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, becoming the first indigenous coach to manage Nigeria at the global tournament.
Nigeria lost narrowly to Argentina and Sweden and drew with England during the tournament, which featured a mix of emerging players and experienced stars.
After his coaching career, he served as an instructor for the NFF, CAF and FIFA, dedicating his time to training coaches and football administrators across the continent.
