Oyedeji urges Nigerians to uphold Onigbinde’s legacy

Tributes have continued to pour in for former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, whose passing on Monday in Osun State has thrown the Nigerian football community into deep mourning.

Among those who have paid glowing tributes is the Secretary General of the World Olympians Association, Olumide Oyedeji, who described the late tactician as a patriotic Nigerian whose dedication to football helped shape the sport in the country.

Oyedeji, who also serves as a Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, said Onigbinde was more than just a coach, but a father figure whose values and principles should continue to inspire generations of Nigerian football stakeholders.

According to him, the late football icon’s greatest legacy lies not only in the matches he coached but in the discipline, courage and deep football intelligence he instilled in players, coaches and administrators.

“Coach Onigbinde was a very patriotic and passionate Nigerian who gave his all to the beautiful game called football,” Oyedeji said.

“He is not just a coach; he is a father who set a good example for coaches, players and administrators to follow for Nigerian football to thrive.”

Offering words of comfort to the bereaved family and the entire football fraternity, Oyedeji urged Nigerians to celebrate the life and legacy of a man whose contributions will continue to guide the future of the sport.

“Coach Onigbinde did not just coach, he engraved discipline, courage and football intelligence,” the NBA and FIBA ambassador added.

“He has left footprints on the sand of time and a legacy that future coaches will continue to follow. Nigerians should take solace in the fact that he lived a life of purpose and service.”

The Modakeke High Chief passed away peacefully, according to a statement released by the family and signed by Mrs. Bolade Adesuyi.

While mourning his departure, the family expressed gratitude to God for what they described as a life well spent, noting that the revered coach lived a fulfilled life as a father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend whose influence extended far beyond the football pitch.

Onigbinde occupies a special place in Nigerian football history as the first indigenous coach to lead the national team to the FIFA World Cup, guiding the Super Eagles to the 2002 edition in Korea and Japan.

Though Nigeria endured a difficult campaign at the tournament against teams like Argentina national football team, Sweden national football team and England national football team, his bold decision to field a youthful and relatively inexperienced squad was widely seen as a step toward rebuilding the national team.

Earlier in his career, the respected tactician had already carved his name into Nigerian football history by leading the Super Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria narrowly lost 3–1 to the Cameroon national football team.

At club level, he also enjoyed a remarkable stint with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, guiding the Nigerian side to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs where they finished runners-up to Egyptian giants Zamalek SC.

Beyond coaching, Onigbinde remained a respected authority in global football development, serving as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and FIFA, where he helped shape coaching education across Africa.

Born in Modakeke, Osun State, the legendary coach once revealed that he dropped the name “Festus” in 1960 after concluding it had no significant meaning to him, choosing instead the Yoruba name Adegboye, meaning “a child born to reclaim a chieftaincy title.”

As tributes continue to pour in from across the football world, many remember him not only as a brilliant tactician but also as a mentor who nurtured generations of players and coaches.

Funeral arrangements, according to the family, will be announced at a later date.