The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has paid glowing tribute to late Nigerian football legend Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, describing his passing as a painful loss to the Yoruba race and the entire Nigerian sporting community.
The revered monarch, who also serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the veteran tactician, noting that his lifelong contributions to football development and youth mentorship will remain indelible in the nation’s history.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the monarch described the late coach as a trailblazer whose dedication to football brought honour not only to his hometown of Modakeke and neighbouring Ile-Ife but also to Nigeria as a whole.
The Ooni recalled that Onigbinde was among the earliest indigenous Nigerians to coach the national team and later led the country’s senior national side, the Nigeria national football team, popularly known as the Super Eagles, to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
According to the statement, the late football icon was widely respected beyond the pitch for his intellectual depth, discipline and unwavering commitment to strengthening the technical and developmental foundations of football in Nigeria.
Onigbinde’s coaching career, which spanned several decades, saw him distinguish himself as one of the most influential football minds in the country. In 1976, he obtained a prestigious German Grade A coaching licence, becoming one of the earliest Nigerian coaches to secure elite international coaching qualifications. He further expanded his expertise in 1981 when he attended an advanced coaching programme in Brazil at a time when such opportunities were rare for African coaches.
His early impact on the national team became evident in 1982 when he was appointed head coach. Under his leadership, Nigeria reached the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runners-up after a narrow defeat to Cameroon national football team.
Beyond his achievements with the national side, Onigbinde also enjoyed remarkable success at club level. Notably, he led Shooting Stars Sports Club to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs — now known as the CAF Champions League — where the Ibadan-based club narrowly lost to Egyptian giants Zamalek SC.
The Ooni also acknowledged the late coach’s service in football administration, noting that he held several technical roles within the Nigeria Football Federation, including Technical Director, where he played a significant role in coaching education and youth development policies across the country.
Describing him as a disciplined sports administrator, respected mentor and elder statesman in Nigerian football, the monarch noted that Onigbinde consistently championed grassroots development and professional standards in the sport.
“High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde lived a fulfilled life marked by service, excellence and patriotism. His legacy in Nigerian football and his numerous efforts towards the peace of Ifeland will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come,” the statement read.
The Ooni extended his condolences to the immediate family of the late coach, the people of Modakeke, the football community and the entire nation, praying that God grants his soul eternal rest and gives his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
