Adegboye Onigbinde has died. The Modakeke-born coach has set off on a frigid voyage to eternal life. He led a life of service. The gigantic tree has toppled. It fell into a large river, causing a strong rhythm of grief and misery. Onigbinde was one of the best coaches Nigeria has ever had. The famed Nigerian football coach died on March 9, 2026, at the age of 88. He died from a brief illness.
Modakeke has lost an excellent son. From the streets of Modakeke to the global stage, Onigbinde authored more than just chapters of his life. He was a book for aspiring trainers. The Nigerian sports industry has received a terrible hit.
Many people have regarded Onigbinde as a man with big aspirations, ideas, and courage who was madly passionate about football. He was more than just a coach. He was a wealth of ideas whose contributions to Nigerian football cannot be overstated.
Onigbinde considered finding abilities in crowds to be iconic. Throughout his coaching career, he identified and developed a number of talented players. Onigbinde has a long history of developing renowned football players such as Rashidi Yekini, Ademola Adesina, Vincent Enyeama, and Joseph Yobo.
He found Rashidi Yekini while he was playing for UNTL and brought him to Ibadan. He also gave Enyeama his debut, and he went on to become an important player for the Super Eagles.
He was a smart coach who devoted his life to the development and advancement of local sports. He concentrated on the grassroots and discovered incredible talents who helped develop the Nigerian football business. Onigbinde’s aptitude to recognize talent was unparalleled.
Adegboye Onigbinde, a Modakeke native, has finished his coaching career. He arrived, saw, and conquered. As we grieve his death, we are comforted by his legacy and lifetime service accomplishments. As we say him farewell on his voyage to eternity, Onigbinde will be remembered as a guy who sacrificed everything for his country and his favorite sport, football.
14 facts you probably did not know about late Adegboye Onigbinde, former Super Eagles coach:
He was a renowned Nigerian football coach, administrator, and technocrat
He was born on March 5, 1938, in Modakeke, Osun State
He attended St. Peters Primary School, Modakeke
He attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos
He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained a degree in Physical Education
He was the first Nigerian to coach the national team on a full-time basis
He coached Shooting Stars FC (3SC Ibadan) and led them to the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs final
He led Shooting Stars FC to win the Nigerian Premier League and the CAF Cup
He coached the Super Eagles from 1981 to 1984 and 1982 to 2002, leading them to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan
He also served as a technical instructor for FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
He attended several FIFA/CAF Coaching Courses
He received numerous awards, including the National Sports Honor (Spiritual Pillar of Nigerian Sports) and the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON)
He coached several Nigerian clubs, including Julius Berger FC and Sunshine Stars FC
He served as a technical instructor for FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
