Former Super Eagles Coach Dies At 88

Former Super Eagles interim head coach, Monday Sinclair, has died at the age of 88.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday by ex-Nigerian international and former goalkeeper Peterside Idah, who played under Sinclair at Sharks Football Club and regarded him as a mentor.

In a 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 the Niger Tornadoes of Minna.

The first day he saw me come to train, he said, ‘My friend, are you a boxer?’ He said I was built like Tyson. From that day, I found me a football father.”

Coach Sinclair was widely respected for his football acumen, tactical intelligence, and commitment to grassroots development.

His playing days spanned the 1960s, but his coaching legacy extended far beyond.

He coached several top-tier Nigerian clubs, including Sharks FC, Rangers International, Heartland, Bayelsa United, Udoji United, and Niger Tornadoes, among others.

He also managed the Nzalang Nacional, the national team of Equatorial Guinea.

In 1997, Sinclair was briefly appointed interim coach of the Super Eagles, taking charge of friendlies in Tunisia and Zambia following the exit of Frenchman Philippe Troussier.

Beyond the sidelines, Sinclair was one of the few Nigerian coaches to document his experiences in books, using his stories to inspire younger coaches and players.

Sinclair’s death comes amid a worrying pattern of losses within the Nigerian sports community.

In recent months, several notable ex-athletes and coaches—including Peter Rufai, Christian Chukwu, and others—have passed away or fallen seriously ill, prompting urgent conversations around the welfare of retired sports professionals.