Two-time coach of Nigeria’s senior national football team, the Super Eagles, Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.
Family sources confirmed that the respected football tactician passed away on Monday, just days after celebrating his 88th birthday on March 5.
In a statement released by the family and signed by Bolade Adesuyi, the late coach was described as a distinguished sportsman and a revered community leader.
“With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of a great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian coach of the Super Eagles, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde,” the statement read.
The family added that details of the funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Onigbinde, popularly known as “The Guru” in Nigerian football circles, had two spells as head coach of the Super Eagles. His first tenure lasted from 1982 to 1984, during which he guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where the team finished runners-up after losing 3–1 to the Cameroon national football team.
He returned to the national team in 2002 and led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where the team faced the Argentina national football team, Sweden national football team, and the England national football team in the group stage.
Nigeria was eliminated after defeats to Argentina and Sweden, while playing a goalless draw against England.
At club level, Onigbinde also coached Shooting Stars Sports Club, leading the team to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1984, where they lost to Zamalek SC.
After leaving the national team job, Onigbinde continued contributing to football development, serving as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
He remained widely respected for his contributions to the growth of Nigerian football.