A former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, who guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, has died at the age of 88.
The family of the veteran football administrator confirmed his death on Monday through a WhatsApp message signed by a member of the family, 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.
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 the final funeral arrangements will be communicated later.
After his first stint as coach of the then Nigeria national football team between 1982 and 1984, Adegboye Onigbinde returned to the national team in 2002. He replaced the late Shuaibu Amodu and led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Nigeria, however, were eliminated at the group stage of the tournament after suffering defeats to Argentina national football team (1–0) and Sweden national football team (2–1), before playing out a goalless draw with England national football team.
Earlier in 1984, Onigbinde guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where the team lost 3–1 to Cameroon national football team.
Later that same year, he took over as coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club and led the side to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, where they were defeated by Zamalek SC.
After stepping down from the national team job, Onigbinde remained a highly respected football tactician in Nigeria and went on to serve as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
