Former head coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Festus Onigbinde, died on Monday 9th of March 2026 at the age of 88.
The family announced his passing in a statement issued by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi late Monday night
“With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of High Chief Festus Onigbinde, a Modakeke High Chief and Nigeria’s first indigenous Super Eagles coach,” she said.
She described him as a father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend whose contributions to Nigerian and global football were remarkable.
The family thanked God for his fulfilled life and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Adesuyi said that funeral arrangements for the late football icon would be announced later.
The late Onigbinde, who celebrated his 88th birthday on March 5, led Nigeria’s senior men’s national team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Onigbinde coached the national team between 1982 and 1984, winning silver at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1–3 loss to Cameroon in the final.
He also coached the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
The late coach later served as the Special Adviser on Football to the Osun Government.
Beyond his national team achievements, Onigbinde is regarded as a pioneer of indigenous coaching in Nigerian football, with significant contributions to the growth of the game through his work as an instructor for the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, where he mentored coaches and supported football development initiatives across Africa.
The family said details of his funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
