Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, has expressed sorrow over the death of former Super Eagles coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, describing the loss as “painful and devastating.”
Adeleke also extended his condolences to the people of Modakeke, the late coach’s hometown, as well as the football community in Nigeria, noting Onigbinde’s “exceptional life contributions, particularly in the growth and development of football in Nigeria and Africa.”
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, the governor said the passing of the former national team coach—who guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea—has deprived the country of the expertise of an experienced football administrator.
He sympathised with the immediate family of the deceased, the Ogunsua, the people of Modakeke, and the wider football community in Nigeria and across Africa. He also extended his condolences to “everyone impacted by the passing of the accomplished football trainer, urging everyone touched by this loss to honour his memory by sustaining the legacy of touching lives.”
The statement partly read, “It is with a heart filled with pains that I offer my condolences to the Ogunsua and the people of Modakeke over the passing of one of its illustrious sons, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
“While he was alive, High Chief Onigbinde dedicated himself to shaping futures, using his knowledge of football to groom talents into stars in the arena of football,” Governor Adeleke was quoted to have said in a condolence message.
“His loss will leave a big void not just on the pitch but in his hometown, where his contributions over the years have uplifted dreams and shaped the economic direction of his people. High Chief Onigbinde’s development of Nigeria’s football development will linger in memories for generations.”
The governor prayed for the repose of the late coach’s soul and expressed hope that his family and loved ones would find comfort in the memories of his impactful life and enduring legacy.
Widely respected for his tactical expertise, Onigbinde, who died on Monday evening, served as Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation and also worked as Technical Adviser to youth teams of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.
He also spent many years as a technical adviser to the Confederation of African Football and participated in several Technical Study Groups organised by FIFA and CAF during major tournaments.
Onigbinde began his coaching career in the 1960s and gained nationwide 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 to the final of the same continental competition, further cementing his reputation as a respected tactician.
A renowned teacher and instructor, he also became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior national team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations.
He achieved the milestone in 1984, winning a silver medal in Côte d’Ivoire with a squad made up largely of young players alongside a few experienced stars.
Onigbinde later guided the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, becoming the first indigenous coach to manage Nigeria at the global tournament.
During the competition, Nigeria suffered narrow defeats to Argentina and Sweden and recorded a draw against England.
Following his coaching career, he served as an instructor for the Nigeria Football Federation, CAF and FIFA, dedicating his time to training coaches and football administrators across Africa.