BY SOLOMON OKPO
The Association of Sports Veterans of Nigeria (SVN) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of two distinguished figures in Nigerian football, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde and Henry Nwosu, describing their passing as a monumental loss to the nation’s sporting community.
In a statement jointly signed by the President of the Association, Chief Jonathan Ogufere, and the Secretary, Elder Paul Bassey, the body paid glowing tribute to the late football icons for their immense contributions to the growth and international recognition of Nigerian football.
The Association recalled with nostalgia the remarkable achievements of the late Onigbinde, whose coaching career left an indelible mark on the nation’s football history. The Modakeke-born tactician rose to national prominence after succeeding Otto Gloria as head coach of the national team at a time many Nigerians clamoured for an indigenous manager to lead the squad.
According to the statement, Onigbinde etched his name into history as the first indigenous coach to guide Nigeria to a silver medal finish at the 1984 African Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. Widely admired for his calm touchline demeanour and tactical discipline, the respected football administrator also became the first coach local or foreign to defeat Ghana in Accra during a World Cup qualifying campaign, a victory that paved the way for Nigeria’s qualification for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan.
The Sports Veterans further noted that Chief Onigbinde’s legacy transcended results on the pitch. Under his leadership, promising talents such as Femi Opabunmi emerged on the global stage as a teenager at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, while legendary goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was discovered and elevated through his recommendation, eventually earning over 100 caps for Nigeria.
The statement highlighted that Onigbinde managed the Super Eagles in 37 international matches across two spells between 1983–1984 and 2002, recording 13 victories, 17 draws, and seven defeats.
The Association also paid tribute to Henry Nwosu, describing him as one of the finest midfielders of his generation and a patriotic servant of Nigerian football. Nwosu was celebrated as a key member of Nigeria’s victorious 1980 Africa Cup of Nations squad and for representing the country for more than a decade with distinction.
The late football star later transitioned into coaching and administration, bringing his wealth of experience to several clubs and national assignments. He served as assistant coach to Onigbinde during the 2002 FIFA World Cup and also handled teams such as Ibom Stars, Union Bank FC, Gateway FC, and the national U-17 side.
The Association stated that both men dedicated their lives to the advancement of football in Nigeria and would be remembered for their professionalism, patriotism, and enduring impact on generations of players and coaches.
“Their contributions to Nigerian football development remain invaluable, and their memories will continue to inspire future generations,” the statement added.
