OBITUARY
NFF Mourns Passing of ‘Professor’ Monday Sinclair, Former Super Eagles Coach and Grassroots Mentor
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Nigeria international and one-time Super Eagles head coach, Monday Sinclair, who passed away on Wednesday evening.
Sinclair, fondly known in football circles as “The Professor” for his tactical depth and cerebral approach to the game, was a towering figure in Nigerian football from the early post-independence era to the late 1990s.
He not only represented the country on the pitch but also played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of football stars through his grassroots development work and coaching career.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, described Sinclair’s passing as “yet another sad day in Nigeria football.”
“We mourn deeply with the immediate family, friends and relatives of ‘Professor’ Monday Sinclair over his demise,” said Sanusi.
“Our prayer is that God will stop the tap of grief and sorrow in our football and the larger society.
“We pray that the Almighty will grant the late Sinclair eternal rest and also grant those loved ones he has left behind, including the coaching fraternity, the fortitude to bear the big loss.”
Born in the early years of Nigeria’s independence, Sinclair earned his stripes as a skilled midfielder with the senior national team. However, it was in his post-playing career that he cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s most respected football educators and talent developers.
Known for his eye for raw talent, Monday Sinclair played a vital role in the early careers of several Nigerian football icons, including the late Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, gritty defender Taribo West, and dazzling winger Finidi George.
He was famed for instilling discipline, tactical awareness, and a fluid style of play in his teams—attributes that became the hallmark of many of his proteges.
In 1997, following the exit of Frenchman Philippe Troussier, Sinclair was appointed interim head coach of the Super Eagles by the then-Nigeria Football Association.
Tasked with stabilising the national team in the lead-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Sinclair’s brief tenure was marked by a return to traditional Nigerian flair and discipline.
At club level, Sinclair left an indelible mark on the domestic scene, most notably with the Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt.
He was admired for his innovative coaching methods, unyielding work ethic, and ability to connect with players both on and off the pitch. His pedagogical style earned him respect across generations of footballers, administrators, and fans.
Beyond trophies and accolades, Monday Sinclair will be remembered as a passionate educator, mentor, and football philosopher who helped lay the foundation for many of Nigeria’s footballing successes.
The NFF, along with members of the football community nationwide, is expected to pay tribute to his enduring legacy in the days ahead. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
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Spanish fifth-division goalkeeper Raul Ramirez has died at the age of 19 following a collision during a match for his club Colindres, the Cantabrian Football Federation (RFCF) said on Monday.
Ramirez sustained a head injury during Saturday’s game against Revilla, with Spanish media reporting that the impact led to multiple cardiac arrests and left him brain dead.
The RFCF announced three days of mourning and said a minute’s silence would be observed at all matches next week in his memory.
-Reuters
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Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Matt Beard has died at the age of 47, the two Women’s Super League (WSL) clubs announced late on Saturday.
Beard led Liverpool to back-to-back WSL titles in 2013 and 2014 during his first stint at the club, before returning to the side in 2021 and guiding them back to the top-flight after two seasons in the second tier.
He left Liverpool in February, with his last coaching role coming in a brief spell in charge of Burnley between June and August.
“The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Matt’s family and friends at this devastating time,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“Matt was not only an extremely committed and successful manager, he was also a person of real integrity and warmth, who will always be remembered with genuine fondness by everyone he worked with at the club.”
Beard began his managerial career at Millwall before moving to Chelsea in 2009. He also coached West Ham United, Boston Breakers and Bristol City.
-Reuters
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OBITUARY
Grand master, Danladi Bako pays tribute to the late journalist and football agent, Chris Eseka
Nigerian broadcasting icon, Dr. Nasir Danladi Bako, who masterminded the television programme, Mastesports on the NTA network, has paid glowing tributes to one of the anchors of the programme, Chris Eseka, who was also a former sports journalist and football agent.
In the tribute titled:” A Master Departs for Home”, Dr Bako remarks:
In 1991, at the National Stadium Surulere, after watching a boxing event together, along with Group Captain Brai Ayonote, former Boxing Federation Chairman, I told Chris I wanted him to join Paul Bassey and Sam John as a presenter for my new programme, Mastersports”, scheduled for live transmission soon on NTA 2.
He looked at me and was quiet for a while. I said, “What do you think?”, he replied “But I am not a TV presenter nah”.
I said I will train you, besides even SJ (Sam John) of the Sunday Times is on the show and Paul Bassey.
He then said,”I will do it if you say so”.
“MasterSports” went on air one February Saturday, at noon on NTA 2 Channel 5. Chris became part of the success story.
Always ready to learn, always ready to improve and ever so humble, especially the way he handled fame. He mentored so many sportswriters as well as young footballers and advised even the established stars.
Before 1992, we had travelled severally times together to cover football matches all over Africa, like the Nigeria versus Cameroon World Cup qualifying in Yaounde in 1989.
Same with tournaments like the FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi ’89 in Saudi Arabia and Algiers ’90 in Algeria.
Chris had the respect of such big-time coaches as Amodu Shaibu and Concord Publisher Bashorun MKO Abiola, and we regularly saw the Pillar of Sports together. Sometimes, without earlier plans, on a normal Saturday afternoon, we could hop into my car and drive to Abeokuta to watch Abiola Babes trade tackles with Leventis United just like that.
In 1994, I arrived in Tunis a day late for the opening ceremony of the CAF/AFCON tourney and couldn’t get a room at Hotel Diplomat, where the team was lodged, Chris opened his doors at room 108 for me to share with him.
I can go on and on about this very reliable friend and brother.
Chris was a committed sports journalist, refined, diligent and professional. When Tony Ubani and Frank Ilaboya of Sportsville gave me an award for Sports some years ago, I dedicated it to Chris.
Rest in peace, my brother. This was very hard to write. Good night, Chris Eseka, one of the Masters!
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