Nigeria’s Former National Team Coach, Onigbinde Dies At 88

Nigeria’s veteran footballer, globally acclaimed football instructor, administrator and former Chief coach of the Super Eagles, Chief Fetus Adegboye Onigbinde, is dead. The legendary coach, who was the only African to serve as FIFA and CAF football instructor for two decades, transited to glory on Monday, March, 9th, night, four days after joyfully celebrating his 88th birthday with his family, friends and well-wishers.

His painful death was announced and confirmed in a press release made pubic on behalf of the family by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi, his family spokesperson. She revealed that the legendary football manager had been battling ill health for some time, before succumbing to the cold arms of death

Chief Onigbinde, is one of Nigerian and African most celebrated, honoured, respected and distinguished football tactician and coaches, with standout feats within and outside Infact, he is widely regarded as the modern father of Nigerian and African coaches and tacticians.

Having won so many trophies including the Nigerian league with Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan, Oyo State, he was promoted by NFA in 1983 to succeed Brazilian Coach, Otto Gloria, and take over the National team, then known as the Green Eagles of Nigeria. During his historic term, he led a brand new young inexperienced and unexposed Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal. Therein Nigeria won her first Sliver medal, as runners-up to Cameroon, the Champion. That historic team gave birth to Nigeria football super stars such as Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Tarila Okoronwata, Humphrey Edobor, Bright Omokaro, Rasheed Yekini etc

After two decades Onigbinde was invited again to lead Nigeria to the 2002 World Cup. Thus, he made history as Nigeria’s first indigenous coach to FIFA World Cup. He led the Nigerian National football team, known as the Super Eagles to the World’s greatest football championship jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. As usual, he went with a brand new team comprising mostly of young footballers who thrilled the world with amazing football skills. Great football stars such as ace goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, Julius Aghahowa, John Utaka, Femi Opabunmi, Joseph Yobo, and others were part of the team.

Chief Onigbinde hails from Modakeke, in Atakunmose East LGA of Osun State. He was born on March 5th 1938. He will always be remembered for his massive total selfless service, rare passion, commitment and dedication to the development of football in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
His vast and second to none knowledge of football and unrepentant investment in youth football development, especially fishing out of young natural talents remains unmatched till date. It would be recalled that he invested so much to discover Rasheed Yekini, Nigeria’s all-time highest goal scorer. This achievement no doubt boldly prints Onigbinde’s feats and name in the unforgettable historic books. He discovered the then young Yekini, a greatly talented mechanic apprentice, who plays football as his hobby with a youthful team known as UNTH of Kaduna, in 1981. He nurture him to national and international stardom in the then IICC Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan. High Chief Onigbinde will also be remembered as a fearless and influential voice in Nigerian football at end of his active illustrious active coaching career. Remarkably, he never stopped coaching young school boys in his neighbourhood until he took his last breath.

According to Mrs Adesuyi, his final funeral arrangements will be communicated by his family.

By ISAAC DANIEL