Yan Nigeria
Former Super Eagles interim coach and grassroots football icon, Monday Sinclair, has died at the age of 88.
According to family sources who spoke with The Cable, the veteran coach passed away at about 3:15 pm on Wednesday, after years of battling complications related to diabetes.
Before his rise to national recognition as a coach, Sinclair made his mark as a player for the Green Eagles in the 1960s.
However, it was his grassroots development efforts that earned him lasting fame. Sinclair was credited with discovering and mentoring some of Nigeria’s most celebrated football stars, including Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Finidi George, and Idah Peterside.
His unique eye for talent and willingness to invest in young players made him a respected figure across Nigeria’s footballing landscape.
Sinclair began his coaching career with the now-defunct Sharks FC of Rivers State, before moving on to Niger Tornadoes, Enugu Rangers, and Bayelsa United.
In 1997, he was appointed interim coach of the Super Eagles, a role that added national prominence to his already impressive résumé. He also had an international stint as the head coach of the Equatorial Guinea national team.
His passing comes less than two weeks after the death of Peter Rufai, one of the stars Sinclair helped develop.
Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Idah Peterside, shared an emotional tribute on Facebook, describing Sinclair as his “football father.”
Peterside wrote, “He signed me to play for Sharks. Gave me my first match against Niger Tornadoes of Minna. The first day he saw me come to train with Sharks, he said, ‘My friend, are you a boxer?’ He said I was built like Tyson.”
Peterside added that their relationship extended beyond football, revealing a deep family bond that had lasted for decades.
“From that day, I found me a football father. I became very close to him and his family, with Puppa K as a very close brother,” he added.
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