A FORMER Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.
His family announced the passing on Monday via a message signed by a member of his family, Bolade Adesuyi.
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The message read, “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”
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The statement added that final funeral arrangements would be communicated later.
Onigbinde led the country to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea.
He returned to the dugout in 2002, after a first stint as coach of the Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984, replacing the late Shuaibu Amodu.
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In 1984, Onigbinde led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Nations Cup, where they lost 3–1 to Cameroon.
He later served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
