NFF Mourns Former Coach Adegboyega Onigbinde at 88

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former national team coach Adegboyega Onigbinde, who passed away at the age of 88. His family confirmed the news via a WhatsApp message.

Onigbinde, who led Nigeria in the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan and South Korea, had a significant impact on Nigerian football. He first took charge of the national team, then known as the Green Eagles, from 1982 to 1984, guiding them to the finals of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d'Ivoire, where they finished as runners-up after a 3-1 defeat to Cameroon.

After a stint away, he returned to coach the national team in 2002, following the exit of Shuaibu Amodu, but the team exited in the group stage. Onigbinde also served as the technical director of the NFF and worked with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, overseeing youth development in Trinidad and Tobago.