Former Super Eagles interim head coach, Monday Sinclair, is dead.
Sinclair died at the age of 88.
His death was confirmed on Wednesday by former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peterside Idah, who played under him at Sharks FC and considered him a mentor.
Peterside wrote in a tribute shared via Facebook on Wednesday, “Our daddy is gone. What a man.
“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. 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.”
Sinclair, who featured for the Green Eagles in the 1960s, was widely respected for his sharp eye for talent and enduring contribution to football development in Nigeria.
He began his coaching career with the now-defunct Sharks FC of Rivers State, before going on to handle Niger Tornadoes, Enugu Rangers, and Bayelsa United.
In 1997, he was appointed interim coach of the Super Eagles and later served as head coach of the Equatorial Guinea national team.
Sinclair was credited with mentoring some of Nigeria’s most iconic footballers, including Peter Rufai, Taribo West, Finidi George, and Peterside himself.
His grassroots influence left an enduring legacy on Nigerian football.
His passing comes just days after the death of another football legend, Peter Rufai, who battled a long-term illness.