NIGERIA: Nigerian football has again been thrown into mourning following the death of former national team player and coach, Monday Sinclair.
His passing was announced on Facebook by former Super Eagles goalkeeper and media officer, Idah Peterside.
Sinclair, a respected figure in Nigerian football circles, is remembered both for his exploits on the pitch in the 1960s and his contributions on the sidelines as a coach and grassroots developer of talent.
Peterside, in his tribute, recalled that Sinclair gave him his first professional break at the now-defunct Sharks FC of Port Harcourt — a gesture that launched Peterside’s journey to national prominence.
Born in the pre-independence era, Sinclair made his debut for the Nigerian national team on February 27, 1963, during a Kwame Nkrumah Cup clash in Accra, where the Green Eagles (as they were then called) suffered a 4–0 defeat to Senegal.
Despite the heavy loss, Sinclair would go on to become one of the key players in Nigeria’s football development during the formative years of international competition.
He returned to the national spotlight decades later when he was appointed interim coach of the Super Eagles in 1997 following the departure of French tactician, Philippe Troussier.
Though his tenure was short-lived and low-profile, Sinclair led the team through friendly matches in Tunisia and Zambia, with striker Kenneth Zeigbo emerging as a standout performer under his guidance.
Beyond the national team, Sinclair was revered as a grassroots coach and a relentless talent scout. His coaching philosophy emphasised free-flowing football and player development—an approach that saw him nurture several stars who would later shine in both domestic and international arenas.
His passing adds to a growing list of notable Nigerian figures lost in July 2025, contributing to what has been a sombre month for the nation’s football community.
Tributes have continued to pour in across social media and from football administrators, former players, and fans who remember Sinclair as a passionate mentor, a football purist, and a quiet but effective force in Nigeria’s football history.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by his family in the coming days.
