Tinubu Honors Legacy of Late Coach Onigbinde

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his condolences following the death of former Nigeria national football team head coach Onigbinde, who was 88 years old. In a statement released on Tuesday by his special adviser, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Onigbinde's immense contributions to the development of grassroots football in Nigeria.

He recognized Onigbinde as the first indigenous coach of the national team, known as the Green Eagles, during the 1982-1984 period, and highlighted his role in guiding Nigeria to the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984, where they lost 3-1 to Cameroon. Tinubu noted Onigbinde's discipline, integrity, foresight, and passion for the sport.

The president also extended his sympathies to Onigbinde's family, who expressed gratitude for his life and the legacy he left behind. Funeral arrangements were to be announced later.

Onigbinde's coaching career spanned several decades, including a return to the national team in 2002 for the FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea.