The passing of a veteran Nigerian coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has revived memories across the country’s football community, particularly among players and coaches who worked closely with the respected tactician during his long and influential career. Born on March 5, 1938 in Modakeke, Osun State, Onigbinde rose to become one of the most revered figures in Nigerian football. Widely known as “The Teacher,” he built a reputation for discipline, tactical intelligence and an unwavering commitment to the development of indigenous coaches. Over several decades, Onigbinde contributed significantly to the growth of football in Nigeria and across Africa. He handled the Nigeria national football team on two occasions and was deeply involved in coaching education programmes, helping to train and mentor many of the country’s current football tacticians. SPONSOR AD His first stint with the national team came between 1982 and 1984 when he guided the then Green Eagles to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished runners-up after losing to Cameroon. At club level, he also left his mark with Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan (IICC), leading the side to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs, now known as the CAF Champions League. Nearly two decades later, Onigbinde returned to the national team and led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, becoming the first indigenous Nigerian coach to guide the Super Eagles to the global tournament. Although Nigeria exited the competition at the group stage, many who worked under him insist that his leadership qualities, professionalism and commitment to football development left a lasting impact. Two of his assistants at the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by Korea and Japan, Godwin Uwua and Ben Duamlong, have been reflecting on the man they describe as a mentor, teacher and gentleman of Nigerian football. Veteran Coach Duamlong said Onigbinde commanded respect from players and officials alike through his leadership style and personal conduct. “He was a very knowledgeable man. He had empathy and carried himself with dignity. He was a democrat who often sought people’s opinions. He was a leader, a natural boss. He never lost the dressing room; he was fully in charge and had the full respect of all the players,” Duamlong said. According to him, the late coach also possessed the courage to make difficult decisions for the good of the team, even when it meant leaving out established stars. “He behaved himself in a respectful manner. He had the guts to choose his team. I remember when the Super Eagles came back from Mali and it was straight to the World Cup preparation and he had the guts to drop some big names and pick younger players.” Duamlong noted that Onigbinde maintained a cordial relationship with football authorities throughout his time with the national team. “He never had any form of clash with his employers – the Nigeria Football Federation. He was a complete gentleman who hardly raised his voice,” he added He also highlighted the tactical philosophy that defined the late coach’s approach to the game. “He loved to play quality and positive football; and he played to win. He was the kind of coach who gave instructions to players before the game and sat down. If and when there was a need to correct a player, he waited to meet them in the dressing room,” he further said. Even after leaving active coaching, Duamlong said Onigbinde remained deeply concerned about the state of Nigerian football. “He naturally felt bad about the state of Nigerian football as he always thought of the game,” he added. For Uwua, who served as first assistant coach during the 2002 campaign, the late Onigbinde was more than a boss — he was a mentor who played a major role in shaping his coaching career. “As a person; and I am not saying this because he is no more, I learnt so much from him. He was God-sent to make me flourish in my coaching career,” he said. Uwua recalled how their relationship began even before the World Cup when Onigbinde spotted him during a club match involving Julius Berger FC and Enyimba FC. “I recall when I was with Julius Berger playing against Enyimba and Onigbinde was in the stadium to watch and he sent for me. However, I had been made aware before then that I was going to be in his coaching team for the Korea/Japan World Cup,” he added. During preparations for the tournament, Uwua said Onigbinde entrusted him with key responsibilities, particularly scouting opponents and preparing technical reports. “During the World Cup, he would send me to study our opponents and bring reports about them. He trusted my reports and would tell me not to show Fanny Amun, whom he also sent. Apparently, he would want to compare both notes.” According to Uwua, the method reflected Onigbinde’s meticulous approach to preparation and his belief in gathering multiple perspectives before making decisions. “He would tell me that whatever I tell you, do it well,” he also said. Uwua also described their relationship as one that extended beyond professional collaboration. “I am like a son to him. He trained almost all the coaches we have now. He brought the CAF licences programmes to Nigeria,” he revealed. Beyond his work with teams, Onigbinde also played an important role in coaching education, serving as an instructor for the Confederation of African Football and FIFA. However, Uwua expressed concern that many individuals who contributed to Nigerian football were often forgotten after their years of service. “I am not sure the NFF took care of him, just as they normally forget those of us that served this country. It will be great if the NFF reaches out to those of us that worked with him to check up on us and bring us to be part of his burial,” he suggested. A former Super Eagles Technical Director Fanny Amun also paid tribute to the late coach, describing him as a misunderstood but highly principled football figure. “He was misunderstood as a person, family man and coach. He was a unique man – fatherly, humble and highly principled. People mistook his principled life as troublesome, but we that worked closely with him saw him in a different perspective,” Amun said. According to him, Onigbinde’s strict adherence to discipline and structure often created the impression that he was difficult, but those who worked closely with him understood his commitment to professionalism. “No one is perfect, but I can say that he was close to perfect,” he added. Amun recalled how the technical crew worked together to assemble the squad for the 2002 World Cup, particularly the decision to introduce younger players into the national team. “We did the list that brought the new players into the team,” he said. He also remembered Nigeria’s group stage match against the Sweden national football team as one of the moments that illustrated Onigbinde’s demanding standards. “I remember our game against Sweden, where Bartholomew Ogbeche was to mark Freddie Ljungberg. He didn’t do it well and Onigbinde was angry with him,” he recalled. Despite Nigeria’s early exit from the tournament, Amun said one of Onigbinde’s decisions during the competition later proved crucial for Nigerian football. “He also brought in Vincent Enyeama in the last game against England. The former Enyimba goalkeeper later became an integral part of the Super Eagles. Since then, we have not had a regular goalkeeper,” Amun said. He also remembered the late coach as a man who valued order, discipline and preparation. “Onigbinde was a neat man. His cloths were never rumpled, even his bed was always well laid,” he said. Amun added that the veteran coach was deeply interested in technology and research, often spending time working on his computer during team camps. “He was always on his computer. While we were preparing for the Japan/Korea World Cup, he met with me to draw up the squad list for the tournament. I was the technical director then,” he added. For Uwua, Duamlong and Amun, Onigbinde’s legacy goes far beyond the results recorded during his coaching career. To them, he remains the teacher who shaped generations of Nigerian coaches and left an enduring imprint on the country’s football history.