SWAN Mourns First Indigenous Super Eagles Coach Onigbinde

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has mourned the demise of legendary Coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde.

Aged 88, Coach Onigbinde passed on Monday evening.

SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin through a statement by the Association’s Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, on Tuesday described the first indigenous Coach of Super Eagles as a colossus of Nigerian football.

While recalling the enormous contributions of Coach Onigbinde in the development of football both in Nigeria, Africa and beyond, said his legacies will continuously shape thoughts and action.

“On behalf of the entire Sporting Media in Nigeria, I commiserate with the family of Coach Onigbinde, Super Eagles, Nigeria Football Federation and the entire Sports fraternity over the exit of a great football tactician.

“Coach Onigbinde is one man that impacted so much in ensuring that the then Green Eagles made desired impact.

“He was truly among those who contributed in shaping and uplifting Nigerian football. Aside the Super Eagles, his coaching prowess was felt in the country’s apex League as well as Africa,” he said.

Pa Onigbinde died few days after turning 88 on March 5, 2026.

He will remembered as the first Nigerian to Coach Super Eagles and took them to the 2002 World Cup.

He coached Nigeria between 1982-84 winning Silver in 1984 after losing 1-3 to Cameroon in the final in 1984.

He later held several managerial and administrative positions, including serving as special adviser to Osun state government on football.