Nigeria Mourns Festus Onigbinde, Football Legend

Bukola Olopade, director of the Nigeria Sports Commission, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Festus Onigbinde, a former Super Eagles coach, who played a pivotal role in shaping Nigerian football. Olopade emphasized Onigbinde's legacy, describing him as a football legend whose influence spanned five decades.

Onigbinde was recognized for his tactical knowledge and contributions to the sport, having served as a technical director for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and as a technical advisor for the Trinidad and Tobago football federation. His coaching career began in 1960, gaining national recognition in 1977 when he led Water Corporation FC Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Champions Cup.

He further established his reputation by guiding Shooting Stars FC Ibadan to the finals of continental competitions. Notably, Onigbinde became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria's senior national team to a medal at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, winning a silver medal.

He also managed the Super Eagles during the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.