By Oluwakayode Banjo
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep sympathy to the family, associates, and admirers of renowned football administrator and former Super Eagles head coach, Chief Festus Onigbinde, following his passing.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu extended condolences to the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, professional colleagues, and football fans nationwide.
He commended the Modakeke High Chief for his immense contributions to grassroots football development and the strengthening of football administration in Nigeria.
The President also acknowledged Chief Onigbinde’s historic leadership, which saw Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984 and later guided the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup in 2002, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
Similarly, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Mr Philips Shuaibu, described Chief Onigbinde as a symbol of discipline, insight, and football intelligence.
Reacting to his death, Mr Shuaibu noted that the late coach left a lasting legacy in Nigerian sports.
Chief Festus Onigbinde, the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles, passed away on Monday at his residence in Modakeke, Osun State, following a brief illness.
Among his notable achievements, he led Nigeria to a silver medal at the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team narrowly lost to Cameroon in the final, and became the first Nigerian coach to guide the team to the FIFA World Cup.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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