The Sun News On-line

Life begins at 40, many Nigerians say, but to Africa’s foremost football aficionado, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, who turned 70 last Saturday, life has just begun. The man says he is still ready to serve Nigeria, until his limbs are too weak to move.

"I love Nigeria and I’m ready to serve the country in whatever capacity, until my body is weak to continue," Chief Onigbinde said. "Age has nothing to do with it and, as you can see, many people believe I’m just 50. It’s really good to clock 70 and still be strong."

The ancient city of Modakeke was in a festive mood on Saturday as the people celebrated their son, their role model, and a man that has become a household name in football teaching worldwide. A man that ranks amongst the best as FIFA and CAF instructor. A man football fans in Nigeria love to call Modakeke high chief.
The occasion was a gathering of ‘who is who’ in sports, and every of his admirer doffed his hat for a man that has achieved so much as a coach and as a teacher.
"Retirement? Not yet," he said. "I still have several years to serve Nigeria, Africa and FIFA.

For now, that’s the only thing that gives me joy and happiness.

"At 70, I can beat my chest and say that I’m satisfied with what I have achieved managing football. I have been able to achieve so much because of my faith in the Almighty God. There’s nothing I do without putting Him first, and he has been my Rock, my Pillar and my reward.

"Yes, people always ask me the secret of my looking younger than my age, and I always reply them that they should learn how to be straight-forward in anything they do. That they should never in their lives plan evil, because he that kills by the sword must surely die by the sword.

"Also, I want to say that despite criticism from my colleagues and some NFA officials, during my tenure as the Super Eagles chief coach, I never bothered. Instead, their criticisms make me stronger and more determined to work. If I were an evil man, a lot of things would have happened to me. I always come out and tell people the truth. So, for me, I have done well in this job, and I’m still ready to do more, if called upon."

Speaking on Shaibu Amodu’s appointment as Eagles chief coach, the septuagenarian said: "I’m personally happy that our sports administrators at the Glass House are beginning to realise their mistakes. I have always been an advocate of the use of indigenous coaches in Nigeria, because right here, there are coaches that are capable of winning the World Cup if given the necessary support.

"Also, I have never gone against hiring a foreign coach for the Eagles but, if Nigeria wants one, we must know everything about the person. Shaibu Amodu’s coming as Eagles head coach is a good thing and a right step in the right direction.
"I’m ready to work with him because I have nothing against him, and I’m also available and ready to advise him whenever he needs it.

"For me, my advice to Amodu is that he should remember that Nigerians are looking up to him to deliver, and possibly take our football to its peak but, before he achieves his feat as the head coach of the Super Eagles, he must learn to take decisions and stand by them.

"Nigerian footballers are too difficult to handle and he must not allow anybody to impose anything on him. If he does, that would be the beginning of his failure. He must also draw up a good programme for the Eagles because what happened during the ‘Ghana 2008’ Nations Cup preparations must not repeat itself. I know that our indigenous coaches must have learnt a lot from Berti Vogts’ mistakes.

He must prove he can do it. Nigerians should join hands in ensuring that Amodu achieves his aims.
"I’ll not want to comment on Berti Vogts coming and going. I’ll leave that to Nigerians, but all I know is that the truth must surely prevail.

"Nigeria’s upcoming coaches should emulate Coach Samson Siasia. That guy is one young coach in Nigeria that would go places. He is highly respected because he has positioned himself well. I’m proud of him.
"I’m ready for any national assignment, as long as it is a job I can do. I’m fully ready but, for now, nobody has contacted me, so I can’t comment on the home-based Eagles," he said.