Veteran Nigerian Football Coach Festus Onigbinde, Who Led Super Eagles to 2002 World Cup, Dies at 88

Okay.ngMar 10, 2026Read original

—

, the veteran Nigerian football tactician who guided the country’s national team to the

, has died at the age of 88.

His family confirmed his passing on Monday in a statement signed by Bolade Adesuyi.

The statement described Onigbinde as a prominent traditional titleholder from Modakeke in southwestern Nigeria. It also called him one of the country’s most influential football coaches.

“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,” the family said.

“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”

The family added: “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 said funeral arrangements would be announced later.

that Onigbinde, who turned 88 on March 5, was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern coaching in Nigerian football.

He first managed Nigeria’s national team, then known as the

, between 1982 and 1984. During that period, he led the side to the final of the

. In the final, Nigeria finished as runners-up after losing 3–1 to

.

Nearly two decades later, he returned to lead the national team again in 2002. He took over from the late

. This happened ahead of the

, which was jointly hosted by

and

.

Nigeria’s campaign at the tournament ended in the group stage following defeats to

and

. In addition, there was a goalless draw with

.

Beyond the national team, Onigbinde also made his mark at club level. In 1984, he took charge of

. He led the Nigerian side to the final of the

. There, they lost to

.

Following his active coaching career, Onigbinde remained influential in football development. He served as a technical instructor for both the

and

.