The remains of former Super Eagles coach and former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director Adegboye Onigbinde have been committed to mother earth in Modakeke, his hometown of Osun State.
Penpushing reports that the octogenarian was buried on Friday with leading figures from Nigerian football, government and traditional institutions paying tribute to one of the country’s most influential indigenous coaches.
The funeral service, took place at Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, Modakeke, attracted former international players, football administrators, traditional rulers, political leaders and members of the local community.
Penpushing further reports that it would be recalled that Onigbinde, died in March at the age of 88, and remains one of the most important figures in Nigerian coaching history, and became the first indigenous coach to lead Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations when the then Green Eagles finished runners-up to Cameroon at the 1984 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
The deceased, 18 years later, became the first Nigerian coach to lead the Super Eagles at the Federation of International Footbal Association (FIFA) World Cup, taking charge of the national team at the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
Penpushing also reports that Onigbinde served as Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and later worked as a Federation of International Footbal Association (FIFA) technical instructor.
The late renowned football coach, beyond Nigeria, had coaching and technical assignments in several countries, including a stint as technical adviser to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.
Penpushing reports that former Super Eagles captain and current Technical Director of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Augustine Eguavoen, who represented the federation at the burial, said the deceased made a lasting impact on Nigerian football.
“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 by dint of hard work, dedication and discipline. He was a towering figure in coaching globally’, Equavon said.
“He was the first Nigerian to lead our Eagles to win silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations, and also became the first Nigerian to lead them at the FIFA World Cup. Even after retirement, he continued to impact highly by serving as a resource person during NFF coaching programmes’. ‘His legacy is stout and impressive. The nation will miss him, but we pray for the repose of his soul and for God to comfort the family he has left behind and the Nigeria Football family as a whole.”
Penpushing further reports that Onigbinde was also widely associated with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan, where he enjoyed some of his most successful years in club football, and throughout his career, he remained an advocate for coaching education and greater opportunities for indigenous coaches.
The notable dignitaries at the funeral ceremony include former NFF General Secretary Fanny Amun, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Director of Communications Ademola Olajire, former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju, representatives of the Osun State Government, traditional rulers, former international players, former players of Shooting Stars, as well as Felix Owolabi, former Nigeria winger, a member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical and Development Committee.
Penpushing also reports that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it provided financial support to the family as part of the funeral arrangements, however, Onigbinde’s appointment remains a landmark in Nigerian football history because it demonstrated that an indigenous coach could lead the national team at the world’s biggest football tournament
The late Onigbinde following his retirement from active coaching, he remained involved in football development, regularly participating in coaching programmes and technical discussions organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
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