Rivers State Sports Commissioner, Boma Iyaye, has congratulated former Super Eagles coach, Monday Sinclair, who clocked 80 on Thursday.
Sinclair who is father of reggae music maestro, Konboye, was in charge of the Eagles between 1997 and 1998 before eventually handing over to Bora Milutinović.
The veteran tactician inherited the team from Frenchman, Philippe Troussier, becoming the eighth indigenous coach to handle the national team.
Iyaye, in his congratulatory message, stated that Sinclair has written his name in gold in the sands of time of Nigerian football in particular and sports in general.
“I make bold to say Monday Sinclair is one of the greatest coaches Nigeria has ever produced,” he told the official website of Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Rivers United FC.
“Iconic footballers like Jossy Dombraye, Gordon Idango, John Appollo, Hamilton Green, Torty O. Torty, Raymond Kwakopon, Bennett Okuru, Rowland Orufe, Benjamin Nzeako and the legendary Adokiye “CJ” Amiesimaka all played under the great him.
“On behalf of the Rivers State Government and the sports community in the State, I want to congratulate this great man for attaining this grand chapter of his life.”
Sinclair started his coaching career with Sharks FC (now Rivers United) before moving on to manage Niger Tornadoes, Enugu Rangers, Heartland, Bayelsa United and much later Nzalang Nacional in Equatorial Guinea.
And the man who led Rivers to second place finish in the NPFL last season, Stanley Eguma, was full of praise for the icon.
“I probably would not have become a professional coach if it wasn’t for Sinclair,” Eguma revealed.
“As a young boy growing up in Port Harcourt, I followed the giant strides he made with Sharks. He is always available to give advice to me and other coaches on issues relating to the game. He is a father and a role model and I want to congratulate him on behalf of the Rivers United family.”
A novelty match, book launch and football clinic will be held on Saturday at Port Harcourt Club Soccer Pitch to mark his birthday.
