Former Super Eagles Coach, Chief Festus Onigbinde, Dies at 88

Former Super Eagles Coach, Chief Festus Onigbinde, Dies at 8

Former coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Festus Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.

The respected Nigerian football tactician passed away on Monday, bringing an end to decades of influence in the country’s football development.

Onigbinde famously led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. However, the national team failed to record a win during the tournament and was eliminated at the group stage.

Before that, he had earlier coached the Super Eagles between 1982 and 1984, guiding the team to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished as runners-up after losing to Cameroon.

Beyond the national team, Onigbinde also managed Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, where he achieved notable success, leading the club to the final of the African Club Champions Cup.

Born in Modakeke in Osun State, Onigbinde first rose to national prominence in 1977 when he guided Water Corporation of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Champions Cup despite operating with a limited budget. The team eventually lost to Guinea’s Horoya, but his tactical brilliance quickly made him a household name in Nigerian football.

Widely respected for his deep knowledge of the game, Onigbinde later served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and the FIFA, contributing to football education and coaching development across the continent.

He is remembered as one of Nigeria’s most influential football tacticians and administrators.