Nigeria is mourning the loss of its football icon, Festus Onigbinde, who passed away on Monday, March 9, at the age of 88. The former Super Eagles coach was a trailblazer in Nigerian football, known for his disciplined approach and tactical prowess.
Onigbinde, affectionately called “The Teacher,” made history as Nigeria’s first indigenous coach to lead the national team to the FIFA World Cup in 2002. He also guided the Super Eagles to the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they finished as runners-up to Cameroon.
A respected football educator, Onigbinde served as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, mentoring coaches across Africa. He was also a high chief in his hometown, Modakeke, Osun State, where he was revered for his community leadership.
