The Nigerian football community has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) assistant coach, Akin Olowokere, who collapsed during a training session on Monday morning.
The tragic incident occurred at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, where the Oluyole Warriors were preparing for their second match in the ongoing ValueJet Cup 2025. Olowokere, a former Sunshine Stars player and coach, was actively involved in the team’s drills when he unexpectedly slumped on the pitch.
Eyewitnesses at the scene said the 3SC technical team and players were in the middle of their training routine when the 47-year-old assistant coach suddenly went down. Medical personnel attached to the team rushed in to administer first aid, before quickly moving him to an undisclosed hospital in an attempt to save his life. Sadly, all efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful.
Olowokere’s death comes just months after he was appointed as one of the new technical crew members of the Oluyole Warriors. His arrival followed a major restructuring within the club after management parted ways with the previous coaching staff, led by veteran tactician Gbenga Ogunbote. The reshuffle was part of 3SC’s renewed strategy to improve performance in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and achieve better results in upcoming competitions.
Known for his tactical insight, discipline, and passion for developing young players, Olowokere brought both playing and coaching experience to the Ibadan-based side. During his playing days, he was a formidable defender for Sunshine Stars, earning respect for his consistency, leadership on the pitch, and commitment to the game. His transition into coaching saw him return to the club that shaped his career, before moving on to take up assignments with other teams in the Nigerian football circuit.
Colleagues described him as a humble, hardworking, and dedicated football man who was deeply respected by players and peers alike. “Coach Akin was someone who gave his all to the game,” said a fellow 3SC staff member, fighting back tears. “He didn’t just teach football—he mentored players to be better professionals and better human beings. His death is a huge loss, not just to 3SC, but to Nigerian football.”
The shockwaves of his passing have been felt beyond the walls of Shooting Stars. Messages of condolence have been pouring in from across the NPFL, former teammates, rival clubs, and fans who admired his contributions to the sport. Sunshine Stars Football Club, where he spent a significant part of his career, released a statement expressing deep sorrow at the news and sending prayers to his family.
The ValueJet Cup organizers have also acknowledged the tragedy, offering their condolences to the club and the late coach’s loved ones. While no official announcement has been made regarding changes to the tournament schedule, sources indicate that 3SC players and staff are emotionally shaken, with preparations for their next match now overshadowed by grief.
Details about the cause of death remain unconfirmed at the time of this report, as there has been no official medical statement. However, the incident has once again brought to light growing concerns over health screening and emergency medical preparedness in Nigerian football. In recent years, similar cases of on-field collapses and sudden deaths among players and coaches have raised urgent questions about cardiovascular health monitoring and the availability of life-saving equipment like defibrillators at training grounds and stadiums.
Sports analysts believe this tragedy should prompt stronger enforcement of medical protocols by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Company (LMC), especially in ensuring that all NPFL clubs conduct regular health checks for their players and staff. “It’s not enough to just have medical personnel on standby—we need proactive measures to detect risks before they become tragedies,” one analyst remarked.
For Shooting Stars, this is not just a professional setback—it is a personal loss. Olowokere’s presence in the dugout, his words of encouragement to young talents, and his quiet but firm influence in the dressing room will be sorely missed. The club has yet to release an official statement on funeral arrangements, but tributes are expected to continue pouring in over the coming days.
His death comes at a time when 3SC had been working to build momentum ahead of the new NPFL season, with the ValueJet Cup serving as an important pre-season test. Olowokere had been actively involved in shaping tactical plans, motivating players, and working alongside the head coach to fine-tune the squad. His sudden departure now leaves a gap in the technical bench that will be difficult to fill in both the short and long term.
Former teammates recall his discipline and professionalism, qualities that made him a role model for younger players. “He wasn’t just a coach; he was a leader and a brother,” said one ex-player who shared the pitch with Olowokere during their Sunshine Stars days. “It’s heartbreaking to know he’s gone. Nigerian football has lost one of its good men.”
As the football world mourns, the tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of life’s unpredictability in a sport that often celebrates its heroes for their endurance and resilience. Olowokere’s career was one marked by loyalty to the game, and his legacy will live on in the players he trained and the teams he helped shape.
In the coming weeks, attention will turn to how 3SC moves forward while honoring his memory. Supporters of the Oluyole Warriors will be hoping that the team channels its grief into determination, using the season ahead to pay tribute to the man who gave his all to their cause.
For now, the mood in Ijebu Ode and Ibadan is one of sorrow and reflection. The whistle that signaled the start of Monday’s training session at the Dipo Dina Stadium would turn out to be the last one Olowokere heard on a football field. His passing leaves a void that statistics and match results cannot measure—a reminder that behind every touchline figure is a human being whose passion for the sport extends far beyond the ninety minutes of play.
Akin Olowokere is survived by family, friends, colleagues, and a generation of players who will forever remember the lessons he taught both on and off the pitch. In their eyes, he will remain not just an assistant coach, but a mentor, a motivator, and a symbol of dedication to Nigerian football.
