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Top government officials, football administrators, traditional rulers, former international players and other prominent Nigerians on Friday gathered at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, Osun State, to bid a final farewell to former Super Eagles coach and ex-Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.
The funeral service drew a distinguished gathering that included political leaders, academics, philanthropists, religious leaders, business executives, retired civil servants and community leaders, all united in celebrating the life and legacy of one of Nigeria’s most accomplished football tacticians.
Tributes poured in throughout the service for the late Onigbinde, who made history as the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria’s senior men’s national team to the Africa Cup of Nations final and the first Nigerian coach to take the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup.
Clergy members described the late Modakeke High Chief as a man of integrity and service whose influence extended beyond Nigeria, having served as Technical Adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association and later as a Technical Advisor to FIFA.
Speaking on behalf of the NFF, former Super Eagles captain and coach Augustine Eguavoen said Onigbinde played a defining role in his football career and praised him as a trailblazer who elevated the reputation of indigenous coaches through his intellect, professionalism and dedication.
“The NFF recognises and appreciates the service of late Chief Onigbinde to our country. He was very energetic and rose to the pinnacle of the profession through hard work, dedication and discipline. He was a towering figure in coaching globally,” Eguavoen, who is also Technical Director of the NFF said.
He noted that Onigbinde’s achievements as the first Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles to an AFCON silver medal and later to the FIFA World Cup remain enduring milestones, adding that the late coach continued to contribute to Nigerian football after retirement by serving as a resource person during NFF coaching programmes.
Former Super Eagles captain and member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Dr Felix Owolabi, also paid tribute to Onigbinde, describing him as a knowledgeable mentor whose courage, integrity and commitment to developing others left an enduring mark on Nigerian football.
Among those in attendance were former NFF General Secretary Ambassador Fanny Amun, NFF Director of Communications Dr Ademola Olajire, former Super Eagles captain Mutiu Adepoju, representatives of the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, former international players and ex-players of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan.
The Nigeria Football Federation also supported the burial programme with a financial donation to the family of the late football icon.
