NFF Mourns Legendary Coach Adegboye Onigbinde, First Nigerian to Lead Super Eagles at FIFA World Cup

The Nigeria Football Federation has paid tribute to its former Technical Director and two-time Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, describing his passing as the loss of ‘a great man who served Nigeria football wholeheartedly and was diligent and devoted to the development of the game.’

NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, hailed the Modakeke high chief as ‘an extraordinary achiever who impacted positively not only on Nigeria football, but on the African and the global game at large.’

He added: ‘Indeed, a big tree has fallen. Chief Onigbinde ate, drank, breathed, slept and lived football development.

‘We will miss him greatly, as he was never tired of giving advice on the game’s development even at his ripe old age.

‘We pray that God will grant him eternal rest, and also grant his family, relations, friends and the Nigeria football fraternity the fortitude to bear the big loss.’

Onigbinde was respected worldwide for his tactical knowledge and technical expertise.

He served as Technical Director of the NFF, Technical Adviser of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, and worked extensively with CAF and FIFA on technical study groups at major championships.

His coaching career began in the 1960s, rising to prominence in 1977 when he guided Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Champion Clubs Cup.

In 1984, he led Shooting Stars FC to the final of the same competition.

He became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior men’s team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning silver in Côte d’Ivoire in 1984 with a youthful squad.

In 2002, he guided the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, becoming the first Nigerian manager to lead the team at football’s biggest stage.

Afterward, he devoted his time to education and training, serving as an instructor for NFF, CAF, and FIFA, earning widespread respect for his commitment to developing coaches and players alike.

Chief Adegboye Onigbinde’s legacy as a teacher, mentor, and pioneer will endure in Nigerian and global football history.