Latest news: Super Eagles de@d’s first indigenous coach confirmed

The death of Nigeria’s first indigenous Super Eagles coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, aged 88, has been announced.

This was revealed by his family through Mrs Bolade Adesuyi in a statement sent to Blueprint.ng on Monday evening.

He said coach Onigbinde died last Monday.

Part of the statement reads: “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent. We announce the passing of this great man, one Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian football coach of the Super Eagles, father, husband, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde who passed into the afterlife a couple of minutes ago.

“We thank God for your fulfilled life and your contribution to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unparalleled football coach.

“We pray that your soul may rest perfectly in the bosom of your and our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Goodnight👋 until we meet and never part again.”

The statement specifies that the final organization of the funeral will be communicated later.

Pa Onigbinde celebrated his 88th birthday on March 5, 2026.

He took Nigeria’s senior men’s team to the 2002 World Cup.

He coached Nigeria between 1982 and 1984 winning silver in 1984 after losing 1-3 to Cameroon in the 1984 final.

He later held positions including that of Special Adviser to the Osun State Government on Football.