Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has mourned the death of former Super Eagles coach High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, describing it as “painful and devastating.”
In a statement on Tuesday, March 10, Adeleke commiserated with the people of Modakeke, Onigbinde’s hometown, and Nigeria’s football community, praising his “exceptional life contributions, particularly in the growth and development of football in Nigeria and Africa.”
He noted that the passing of the ex-Super Eagles coach, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea, has deprived the country of a resourceful football administrator.
Adeleke extended condolences to Onigbinde’s immediate family, the Ogunsua and people of Modakeke, and the wider football community, urging all affected to honour his memory by sustaining his legacy.
“While he was alive, High Chief Onigbinde dedicated himself to shaping futures, using his knowledge of football to groom talents into stars,” the governor said.
Globally respected for his tactical expertise, Onigbinde also served as Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation and Technical Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for youth teams.
He contributed to the Confederation of African Football and participated in several FIFA and CAF technical study groups.
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Onigbinde began his coaching career in the 1960s, gaining national recognition in 1977 after leading Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the African Champions Cup quarter-finals.
In 1984, he guided Shooting Stars FC to the continental final and became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior national team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning silver in Côte d’Ivoire.
He later led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Nigerian coach to manage the team at a global tournament.
After his coaching career, he trained coaches and football administrators across Africa as an instructor for the NFF, CAF, and FIFA.
Governor Adeleke prayed for the repose of Onigbinde’s soul and expressed hope that his family and all touched by his legacy would find solace in his remarkable contributions to football.