By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 12, 2025

Few days after his unveiling as one of the assistant coaches of Shooting Stars FC, coach Akin Olowokere passed away on Monday, after slumping in training at the team’s pre-season camp in Ijebu Ode, The PUNCH reports.

The former Sunshine Stars and Ekiti United coach had just read out the names of players to be involved in their pre-season fixture against Abia Warriors on Monday when the tragedy struck at the main bowl of the Dipo Dina Stadium.

The match was subsequently postponed by the organisers.

“He just bent down and down and down,” an eyewitness who couldn’t speak in an official capacity, told The PUNCH.

“That was it. CPR was administered, but there was no response. A bus had to be driven into the main bowl, and he was taken to the hospital. It wasn’t just looking good.”

Another official at the stadium also laid bare the psychological burden of the ugly incident on the players.

“The psychologist will need to work on some of the players. They were visibly shaken and emotionally destroyed. It is a tough one to take, even for me, not close to him, not to mention those that he worked with, and it happened in front of them all.”

Shooting Stars described Olowokere as a dedicated tactician.

“Coach Olowokere was not only a dedicated and passionate football tactician, but also a mentor, friend, and father figure to the players and many others. He exhibited compassion within his short stint with the club and the wider football community. His commitment to the growth and success of our team was unwavering, as we hope his legacy continues to inspire generations to come.”

Other Nigeria Premier Football League clubs have also joined 3SC in mourning the late coach.

“Everyone at Remo Stars send their condolence to his family, Shooting Stars and the entire Nigerian football community,” reigning NPFL champions Remo Stars wrote.

Former champions Rangers International also wrote, “In moments like this, we are reminded that football is more than just a sport—it is a family. And when one of us falls, we all feel the pain. We join hands with the entire Nigerian football community, the management, players, and supporters of 3SC to mourn a life well-lived but gone too soon.

Nine-time NPFL champions Enyimba, Rivers United and the Ondo State Football Association also joined in sending condolences to the coach’s family.

The PUNCH gathered that the family will announce burial arrangements in due course.

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 12, 2025

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