Former Super Eagles head coach Monday Sinclair, renowned for discovering Nigeria’s finest goalkeeper, has passed away at the age of 88.
Family sources confirmed that the esteemed football coach was pronounced dead at approximately 3:15 pm on Wednesday. In recent years, Sinclair had faced ongoing health issues related to diabetes, leading to frequent hospital visits.
Prior to his illustrious coaching career, Sinclair played for the Green Eagles during the 1960s. He gained recognition for his exceptional talent-spotting abilities, particularly at the grassroots level, mentoring future Super Eagles stars such as Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Finidi George, and Idah Peterside, among others.
Sinclair began his coaching journey with the now-defunct Sharks FC of Rivers, before moving on to Niger Tornadoes, Enugu Rangers, and Bayelsa United. In 1997, he was appointed interim coach of the Super Eagles and also led the national team of Equatorial Guinea.
His death comes just weeks after the passing of Rufai, who had been battling a long-term illness. In a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, Idah Peterside, one of his former mentees, referred to Sinclair as his “football father,” recounting how he significantly influenced his career.
“He signed me to play for Sharks and gave me my first match against Niger Tornadoes of Minna. The first time he saw me train with the Sharks, he jokingly asked, ‘My friend, are you a boxer?’ He said I was built like Tyson. From that moment, I found my football father and grew very close to him and his family, with Puppa K as a dear brother.”
