By Daily Sports Nigeria on March 10, 2026

The Director-General of the Nigeria Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, said the contributions and legacy of the late former Super Eagles coach, Festus Onigbinde, have helped shape the country’s football.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Olopade, who joined Nigeria’s football community in mourning the coach’s passing, added that his contributions cannot be overstated.

“A true Iroko has surely gone home. High Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde has been nothing short of a football legend and an enigma whose impact resonates across the global football ecosystem.

“His patriotism and constructive contributions to the development of Nigerian football over five decades cannot be overemphasised.

“His legacies as a former national team coach and former CAF and FIFA technical instructor will continue to shape the sport in decades to come. A true legend has truly gone home. Rest on, High Chief,” Mr Olopade wrote.

Globally respected for his deep tactical knowledge, Onigbinde, who died on Monday evening, served as Technical Director of the NFF and Technical Adviser of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation for youth teams.

He also served for many years as a technical adviser to the Confederation of African Football and participated in several Technical Study Groups of FIFA and CAF at major championships.

Onigbinde began his coaching career in the 1960s and gained national recognition in 1977 after leading Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Champions Cup.

In 1984, he guided Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan to the final of the same continental competition, further establishing his reputation as a top tactician.

A renowned teacher and instructor, he became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior national team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

He achieved the feat in 1984, winning a silver medal in Cote d’Ivoire with a team largely made up of rookies and a few experienced players.

Onigbinde later led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, becoming the first indigenous coach to manage Nigeria at the global tournament.

Nigeria lost narrowly to Argentina and Sweden and drew with England during the tournament, which featured a mix of emerging players and experienced stars.

After his coaching career, he served as an instructor for the NFF, CAF and FIFA, dedicating his time to training coaches and football administrators across the continent.

Source Punch Ng

Posted March 10, 2026

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