He Fought Hard To Stay Alive” — Son, Sports Analyst Pay Emotional Tribute To Late Coach Festus Onigbinde

Mr. Oyekunle Onigbinde, the last child of late Nigerian football icon Festus Onigbinde, has revealed that his father battled illness bravely before his death, saying the former national team coach “fought well to stay alive.”
Oyekunle made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Tuesday, describing the passing of the respected football tactician on Monday as a painful shock to the family.
According to him, although his father had been ill, the effects of old age made recovery difficult.
“He fought well to stay alive,” Oyekunle said.
“He was sick, but due to old age, his body couldn’t fight the recovery.
“My father was very accommodating; he pulled everyone together. He didn’t care who you were; he just wanted everyone happy and united. He was the string that knitted many together.”
Meanwhile, veteran sports analyst Tayo Balogun said his final 40-minute phone conversation with Onigbinde in 2025 would remain unforgettable.
Balogun said the discussion took them through decades of Nigerian football history, during which he expressed appreciation for the late coach’s dedication and contributions to the game.
“We went down memory lane, and I thanked him for being who he was: painstaking, foresighted, forthright, forthcoming, and incredibly hardworking,” Balogun said.
“I told him I appreciated him and that I was calling to let him know that his contributions to Nigerian football will always be footnoted in history.”
He recalled noticing that Onigbinde’s voice had weakened during the conversation, though the veteran coach insisted he was still strong despite his age.
Balogun also revealed that the late tactician asked about members of his television team, including Feyi Ogunduyile and Modele Sarafa-Yusuf.
Reflecting on Onigbinde’s impact at club level, Balogun praised his contributions to Shooting Stars Sports Club, noting that the coach was responsible for changing the club’s name from IICC Shooting Stars.
He also recalled a moment before a continental clash with Tonnerre Kalara Club when Onigbinde was seen practising penalty kicks despite his team’s 4–0 first-leg victory in Ibadan.
According to Balogun, the coach explained his caution, saying: “If we can beat them 4–0 in Ibadan, they may pay us back in Yaoundé.”
Balogun further commended the coach’s bold decisions while leading Nigeria at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, including the controversial selection of midfielder Mutiu Adepoju, whom he ultimately did not field in any match.
Onigbinde later admitted to Balogun that leaving Adepoju on the bench throughout the tournament was his only mistake.
Describing the late coach as meticulous and visionary, Balogun said Onigbinde was perhaps the most thorough Nigerian football coach he ever encountered.
“He would draw up a list of requirements for his team every year. With Shooting Stars, he got about 20 per cent of what he requested, and with the Eagles, he didn’t even get 10 per cent,” he said.
Despite these limitations, Balogun noted that Onigbinde still achieved remarkable results, including leading a team of relatively unknown players such as Chibuzor Ehilegbu and Paul Okoku to defeat the then-feared Ghana national football team on their home soil.
“Onigbinde’s memory will remain indelible,” Balogun said.
“He was a gentleman, humble, and highly intelligent. I am glad I got to know you, sir.”