Onigbinde’s death, painful loss to Yoruba race, Nigerian sporting community – Ooni

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described the death of late football icon and former national team coach, High Chief Festus Onigbinde, as a painful loss to the Yoruba race and the entire Nigerian sporting community.

This is contained in a statement issued and signed by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Mr Moses Olafare, on Tuesday , in Ile-Ife.

Ogunwusi, who is the Permanent Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), expressed deep sorrow over the demise of the veteran football tactician.

He noted that his contributions to Nigerian football and youth development would remain indelible.

The Ooni described the late coach as a trailblazer who brought honour and pride not only to Modakeke and Ile-Ife, but also to the entire nation through his decades of dedication to football development.

The royal father recalled that Onigbinde made history as one of the earliest indigenous Nigerians to coach the national team and later led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

The Ooni observed that the late tactician’s achievements went far beyond the sidelines, as he was widely respected for his intellectual depth, discipline and commitment to building the technical foundation of football in Nigeria.

“Onigbinde’s coaching career spanned several decades, during which he distinguished himself as one of the most influential football minds in the country.

” In 1976, he earned a prestigious German Grade A coaching licence, becoming one of the earliest Nigerian coaches to obtain elite international coaching qualifications.

“He further strengthened his expertise by attending a coaching course in Brazil in 1981 at a time when very few African coaches had such opportunities,” the statement added,

Ooni stated further that Onigbinde’s early impact on the national team became evident when he was appointed head coach of the Super Eagles in 1982.

” Under his leadership, Nigeria reached the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, finishing as runners-up after losing to Cameroon.

“Beyond the national team, Onigbinde also enjoyed remarkable success at club level, particularly with the Shooting Stars Sports Club, which he led to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1984, now known as the CAF Champions League where they narrowly lost to Egyptian giants, Zamalek FC.”

Ooni also acknowledged the late coach’s role in football administration, noted that he served the nation in various technical capacities within the Nigeria Football Federation, including as Technical Director where he contributed significantly to coaching education and youth development policies

Oba Ogunwusi described the late Onigbinde as a disciplined sports administrator, respected mentor and elder statesman in Nigerian football who consistently advocated for grassroots development and professional standards in the sport.

“High Chief Festus 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.

He prayed that God grants his soul eternal rest and give his loved ones the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.(NAN)

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