Adegboye Onigbinde (1938 – 2026)

Indeed, his career not only redefined the role of indigenous coaches but also elevated their standing within the global game.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described his death on March 9, at the age of 88, as “the exit of a great man who served Nigeria football wholeheartedly and was diligent and devoted to the development of the game.”

He first managed the Green Eagles—as the senior men’s national team was then known—between 1982 and 1984. After Shaibu Amodu was dismissed following the 2002 AFCON, Onigbinde was appointed to take the Super Eagles to the World Cup in Korea/Japan—marking the first time a Nigerian would lead the national team on the world’s biggest stage.

His appointment to the role, nearly two decades after his first stint, was a testament to his enduring relevance. Although Nigeria exited at the group stage following narrow losses to Argentina and Sweden, the team proved it was no pushover by holding England to a resilient goalless draw.

In 1984, he took a relatively young and experimental Nigerian squad to the AFCON in Ivory Coast. He led them all the way to the final, marking the first time a Nigerian coach had achieved this feat. Although they lost to Cameroon in the final, the silver medal achievement demolished the myth that only foreign “technical advisers” could find success at such a high level.

His profound understanding of the “science of the game” earned him international recognition. He became the first African member of the elite FIFA Technical Study Group. In this role, he travelled the world analysing matches, identifying tactical trends, and helping to compile the official technical reports for various FIFA World Cups.

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A pioneer in coach education, he was the first Nigerian to be accredited as a CAF Technical Instructor—a role that saw him training and certifying the next generation of coaches across the continent.

Within the domestic league, he was a trailblazer in football administration, becoming the first to hold the title of General Manager at Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan. The role was specifically created to bridge the gap between technical coaching and corporate management. He led the club to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs (now the CAF Champions League), where they lost to Zamalek SC of Egypt.

Born in Modakeke, in present-day Osun State, he began his coaching journey in the 1960s. He shot to national fame in 1977 when he led Water Corporation FC of Ibadan to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Champions Clubs.

Renowned for his intellectual approach, technical depth, and personal integrity, he consistently championed the establishment of junior competitions to discover and nurture fresh talent. He also maintained that robust developmental programmes were essential for the professional growth of local coaches.

In a poignant posthumous tribute, Nigerian football living legend Segun Odegbami noted that Onigbinde “stands out as one of the most successful Nigerians to coach the national team and work in coaching within the country.” He called on the authorities to act, stating: “Nigeria must find a way to immortalise him. The Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission must ensure that he is immortalised. He deserves it.”