Ex-Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde Dies at 88

LAGOS — Former Super Eagles head coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88.

The veteran football tactician reportedly passed away on Monday, according to a statement released by his family.

In the announcement signed by family representative Bolade Adesuyi, the late coach was described as a respected football administrator, community leader and Modakeke High Chief, whose contributions to Nigerian football spanned several decades.

Onigbinde was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of indigenous football coaching in Nigeria and played a major role in the development of the country’s national team.

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The late tactician first handled the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles, in the early 1980s. He guided Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team finished as runners-up.

Years later, he returned to manage the national team and led the Nigeria national football team to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, marking one of the most significant moments of his coaching career.

Beyond national team duties, Onigbinde served as a technical instructor for both the Confederation of African Football and Fédération Internationale de Football Association, contributing to coaching education and football development across Africa.

Born on March 5, 1938, in Modakeke, Osun State, the late football icon was respected for his discipline, technical knowledge of the game and commitment to nurturing young talents.

Tributes have begun to pour in from players, football administrators and fans across the country following news of his death.

The family said details of his funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

Ex-Super Eagles Coach Adegboye Onigbinde Dies at 88

Babayaro Salutes Lookman’s Parents for Raising Disciplined Super Eagles Star

Former Super Eagles defender and Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medalist, Emmanuel Babayaro, has paid glowing tribute to Ademola Lookman, praising not only the Nigerian forward’s talent but also the family values that shaped his character.

Speaking during an appearance on the ATHLST podcast, Babayaro said he admires Lookman for more than his performances on the pitch, highlighting the discipline, humility and professionalism the forward displays off it. According to the former Nigeria international, such qualities reflect strong upbringing and family guidance.

“Ademola Lookman is one young man I honestly admire. And it’s not just about his playing; it’s about his comportment. All these things sum up to one thing for me — they say charity begins at home,” Babayaro said.

He used the opportunity to thank the footballer’s parents, noting that they played a major role in shaping the player’s attitude and values. Babayaro added that respect and ethics, often associated with Yoruba culture, were clearly reflected in the way Lookman conducts himself both on and off the field.

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Lookman, who currently plays for Atlético Madrid, has grown into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated attacking players. The forward enjoyed a breakthrough period in Europe and was crowned CAF African Footballer of the Year in 2024, cementing his place among Africa’s elite footballers.

The 27-year-old attacker has also played a key role for the Nigeria national football team, contributing to the country’s campaigns in the Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles secured podium finishes in recent editions.

Despite his current success, Lookman’s journey to the top was not without challenges. During his time at Everton F.C. in the Premier League, he struggled to establish himself, scoring four goals in 48 appearances before moving on loan to RB Leipzig in Germany.

Babayaro believes the Nigerian star’s creative playing style may have been better suited to other European leagues than England’s fast-paced and physically demanding game.

According to him, Lookman thrives in environments where players have the freedom to express themselves with the ball. In contrast, the Premier League often demands quick decisions under intense pressure, leaving little room for the kind of flair and creativity that defines Lookman’s game.

The forward eventually rediscovered his form in continental Europe, particularly during spells with Fulham F.C., Leicester City F.C. and especially Atalanta BC in Italy, where he became one of the club’s most influential players before moving to Atlético Madrid.

Across a professional career spanning more than 300 senior appearances, Lookman has never been sent off — a record Babayaro says speaks volumes about the player’s character and discipline.

For the former Chelsea defender, Lookman’s success is proof that talent combined with strong family values can produce not only a great footballer but also a role model for young athletes.

Babayaro Salutes Lookman’s Parents for Raising Disciplined Super Eagles Star

Nigeria officially out of 2026 World Cup as FIFA confirms DR Congo for play-offs

The world football governing body, FIFA, has formally confirmed Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the inter-confederation play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, shutting the door on Nigeria’s qualification bid.

The confirmation was contained in an accreditation circular released to the media ahead of the play-off tournament, where FIFA unveiled the competition format and listed the six countries that will vie for the remaining two slots at the global showpiece.

DR Congo was named as the Confederation of African Football’s flag bearer, leaving no avenue for Nigeria to reclaim a place in the race to the Mundial.

The development comes months after the Nigeria Football Federation lodged a protest challenging the outcome of their CAF play-off tie against the Congolese side in November 2025.

Nigeria had alleged that their opponents fielded ineligible players in the decisive fixture, which ended 1-1 in regulation time before the Super Eagles fell short in the ensuing penalty shootout. The NFF had sought a reversal of the result in a bid to secure Nigeria’s slot in the inter-confederation play-offs.

However, FIFA’s latest communication made no mention of any alteration to the qualified teams, signalling that the earlier result remains valid and that Nigeria’s appeal did not succeed.

In outlining the competition, FIFA stated that six nations would battle for the final two tickets to the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

According to the confirmed line-up, Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname will compete in the mini-tournament.

The play-offs are scheduled to begin on March 26, with New Caledonia facing Jamaica, while Bolivia will take on Suriname in the other fixture.

DR Congo is set to square up against the winner between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31, with a World Cup berth at stake.

For Nigeria, the announcement effectively brings an end to hopes of featuring at the 2026 tournament, marking a significant setback for the three-time African champions.