The Nigerian football community has been thrown into mourning following the death of former Super Eagles coach Festus Adegboyega Onigbinde at the age of 88.
Reacting to the sad development, National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Samuel Ikpea, described the passing of the Modakeke High Chief as a huge loss to Nigerian and African football.
Ikpea, an award-winning football enthusiast, noted that although the death of the respected football tactician is painful, it should also be seen as a celebration of a life dedicated to the growth and development of the beautiful game.
Onigbinde, a former Confederation of African Football instructor and one-time coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club, also led the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.
“While the passing of High Chief Festus Onigbinde is painful, I want to urge all football fans, enthusiasts and administrators to see it as a life well spent in the service of Nigeria, Africa and the development of football,” Ikpea said.
He further called on football authorities and coaches to ensure that the burial of the late football icon is organised as a befitting celebration of the life and legacy of one of Nigeria’s most respected football tacticians and teachers.
“Above all, on behalf of Nigeria and Africa’s foremost football supporters’ group, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, we pray that God in His infinite mercy grants Baba Onigbinde eternal rest and gives his family, friends and the football community the strength to bear this great loss,” Ikpea added
