A former head coach of Nigeria’s national football team, Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.
His family confirmed the development in a statement released on Monday and signed by Bolade Adesuyi.
According to the statement, the renowned football tactician, who was also a high chief in Modakeke, lived a fulfilled life marked by notable contributions to Nigerian football and national development.
“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 statement read.
The family added that details of the funeral arrangements would be announced at a later date.
Onigbinde, popularly known in football circles as “Festus,” guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup after returning for a second stint as national team coach. His earlier tenure with the then Green Eagles lasted between 1982 and 1984.
During that period, he led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where the team lost 3–1 to Cameroon national football team.
Beyond his coaching career, Onigbinde also served as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football and the global football governing body, FIFA.