Former Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde has died at the age of 88.
His family confirmed his passing on Monday through a WhatsApp broadcast message signed by Bolade Adesuyi, a family member.
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, who passed unto the great beyond a couple of minutes ago.”
Born on March 5, 1938, Onigbinde was widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures in Nigerian football. He made history as the first indigenous Nigerian coach of the Nigeria national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles.
During his coaching career, he guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished with a silver medal after losing to the Cameroon national football team.
He also led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, further cementing his place in the history of Nigerian football.
