Former Super Eagles coach, Monday Sinclair, passes away at 88.
Former Super Eagles coach, Monday Sinclair, passes away at 88.
Former interim head coach of the Super Eagles, Monday Sinclair, has passed away at the age of 88. His death was confirmed on Wednesday by former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peterside Idah, who described Sinclair as a mentor and father figure.
In a heartfelt tribute shared on Facebook, Peterside wrote: “Our daddy is gone. What a man. He signed me to play for Sharks and gave me my first match against Niger Tornadoes of Minna. The first day he saw me at training, he said, ‘My friend, are you a boxer?’ He said I was built like Tyson. From that moment, I found myself a football father. I became very close to him and his family, with Puppa K as a very close brother.”
Sinclair, who played for the Green Eagles in the 1960s, was known for his sharp eye for talent and lifelong dedication to football development in Nigeria. He began his coaching journey with the now-defunct Sharks FC of Rivers State and went on to manage other top Nigerian clubs, including Niger Tornadoes, Enugu Rangers, and Bayelsa United.
In 1997, he was appointed interim coach of the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, and later went on to coach the Equatorial Guinea national team. Throughout his career, Sinclair mentored many of Nigeria’s football legends, including Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Finidi George, and Peterside Idah.
His grassroots efforts and influence left a lasting legacy on Nigerian football. Sinclair’s passing comes just days after the death of another Nigerian football icon, Peter Rufai, who had been battling a long-term illness.
