Oyekunle Onigbinde, the last child of the late former national coach Adegboye Onigbinde, said his father fought to stay alive despite illness.
Mr Oyekunle made the remarks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday.
He said his father’s death on Monday was a shock to the family.
“He fought well to stay alive. He was sick, but due to old age, his body couldn’t fight the recovery,” Oyekunle said.
He added that his father was generous and worked to keep people united.
Renowned sports analyst Tayo Balogun recalled a 40-minute conversation with Mr Onigbinde in 2025.
Mr Balogun said he thanked the coach for his work in Nigerian football and praised his approach to team management.
Balogun said Onigbinde discussed his time with Shooting Stars Sports Club and shared stories from matches in Ghana and the African Cup of Champions Clubs.
He also spoke about his decisions during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Balogun described Onigbinde as thorough and careful in his preparation for matches.
He noted that the coach successfully led a group of young players to victories, including beating the Ghana Black Stars in Ghana.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier expressed sympathy with Onigbinde’s family, colleagues, and football fans.
He said Onigbinde would be remembered for discipline, integrity and his contributions to football administration in Nigeria.
Onigbinde coached the national team between 1982 and 1984 and returned in 2002 for the FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
He also led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations and guided Shooting Stars Sports Club to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs.
After leaving the national team, he worked as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.
