- Safiu Kehinde
Nigeria’s first indigenous football coach, Festus Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.
Onigbinde passed away on Monday evening as announced in a statement issued by his family.
The Green Eagles coach demise came barely a week after his 88th birthday.
While the cause fof his death was not diclosed in the statement issued by a relative, Mrs. Bolade Adesuyi, the family expressed their gratitude for enabling Onigbinde live a fulfilled life with his contribution to Nigeria as the Green Eagles’ coach.
“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, grand father, great grand father, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, who passed unto the great beyond a couple of minutes ago.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigeria nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.” The statement partly read.
While praying for his soul to rest in peace, the family promised to announce his burial arrangement soon.
Born on the 5th of March, 1938, Onigbinde led the Green Eagles through successful campaigns between 1982 and 1984.
In 1984, Onigbinde took Nigeria into the final match of the 1984 Africa Nations Cup.
The team however lost 1–3 to Cameroon in that match.
Later in the same year, Onigbinde took over as coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club in Ibadan.
He guided the team to the final of the Africa Club Champions Cup where they lost to Zamalek of Egypt.
Onigbinde second stinct as the Nigerian national team’s coach came after the sacking of the coaching crew of Shuaibu Amodu following what was considered a disgraceful performance of the Super Eagles at the 2002 Africa Nations Cup.
Onigbinde took a team that consisted largely of young and inexperienced players and led them to the 2002 World Cup.
But the Japan/South Korea edition was the worst Nigerian performance in the World Cup history.
For the first time in the competition, Nigeria did not win a single match and was knocked out of the tournament in the first round.