Former coach of the Nigeria national football team, Adegboye Onigbinde has been confirmed dead by his famiky on Monday, March 9, 2026, through a WhatsApp message signed by a relative, Bolade Adesuyi.
Adegboye Onigbinde died at the age of 88. The announcement of his death came four days after he celebrated his 88th birthday on March 5.
The statement from the family read, “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.
“We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian and the world as an unequalled football coach.
“We pray that your soul will rest perfectly in the bosom of your and our Lord Jesus Christ. Good night, till we meet to part no more.”
Accordong yo the family, details of the burial arrangements would be announced later. Adegboye Onigbinde is widely respected in Nigerian football circles. He has handled the Super Eagles of Nigeria twice. His first spell occurred between 1982 and 1984, when the side was still known as the Green Eagles.
As the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, he returned to the role in 2002, stepping in after the departure of Shuaibu Amodu and guiding Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
Earlier in his career, Onigbinde led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), where the team lost 3-1 to Cameroon.
