The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Super Eagles coach, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, describing him as one of the towering figures in the history of Nigerian football.
Pa Onigbinde, a respected football tactician and administrator, led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea and spent decades contributing to the growth of football both within Nigeria and internationally.
Reacting to the sad news, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the late football icon as a monumental figure whose legacy will endure for generations.
“A true Iroko has surely gone home. High Chief Adegboyega Onigbinde has been nothing short of a football legend and an enigma whose impact resonates across the global football ecosystem.”
Hon. Olopade noted that the late Modakeke High Chief devoted more than five decades to the advancement of Nigerian football through coaching, mentorship, and technical leadership.
“His patriotism and constructive contributions to the development of Nigerian football over five decades cannot be overemphasized. His legacies as a former national team coach and a former CAF and FIFA Technical Instructor will continue to shape the sport in decades to come.”
“A true legend has indeed gone home. High Chief Onigbinde was not just a coach; he was a teacher, mentor, and an enduring symbol of dedication to Nigerian football.”
Widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern football development in Nigeria, Onigbinde also served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, where he contributed to coaching education and football development programs across the continent.
The National Sports Commission extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the entire Nigerian football community over the passing of the revered Modakeke High Chief, whose influence on the game will remain indelible.
