Nigerian football is in mourning following the death of former national team player and coach, Monday Sinclair. The news of his passing was shared on Facebook by ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper and former team media officer, Idah Peterside.
Sinclair was a well-regarded figure in Nigerian football, known for both his achievements as a player in the 1960s and his later work as a coach and grassroots talent developer.
In his tribute, Peterside remembered Sinclair as the man who gave him his first professional opportunity at the now-defunct Sharks FC of Port Harcourt—an opportunity that paved the way for Peterside’s rise to national prominence.
Born before Nigeria's independence, Sinclair made his debut for the national team on February 27, 1963, during a Kwame Nkrumah Cup match in Accra, where the Green Eagles (as the team was then called) were defeated 4–0 by Senegal.
Despite the tough debut, Sinclair became a key figure in the early stages of Nigeria’s football development on the international stage.
He returned to national duties decades later in 1997 when he was named interim coach of the Super Eagles after the exit of French manager Philippe Troussier. Although his time in charge was brief and largely under the radar, he led the team in friendly matches in Tunisia and Zambia. During this period, striker Kenneth Zeigbo stood out with strong performances under Sinclair’s leadership.
Outside of his national team role, Sinclair was highly respected as a grassroots coach and tireless talent scout. He championed an attacking, development-focused style of play, which helped produce numerous players who went on to succeed both at home and abroad.
His death adds to a series of losses in July 2025, a month that has been particularly painful for Nigeria’s football community.
Tributes have been pouring in from fans, former players, football officials, and the wider public, celebrating Sinclair as a dedicated mentor, a lover of the beautiful game, and a quiet but influential contributor to Nigerian football history.
His family is expected to announce funeral details in the coming days.
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