- Akin Olowokore tragically passed away after collapsing on the pitch during a Cup tournament in Nigeria
- Football fans have flooded social media with moving messages of sympathy for family of the late tactician
- Olowokere’s club, Shooting Stars, have officially confirmed the sudden loss of one of their recently hired trainers
Shock and grief have gripped the Nigerian football family after Shooting Stars SC’s assistant coach Akin Olowokere collapsed and passed away on Monday morning, August 11.
The late tactician, who was recently appointed Assistant Coach of Shooting Stars and contracted until 2027, tragically lost his life at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu Ode. The incident happened during preparations for Matchday 2 of the ValueJetCup25.
Source: Getty Images
Medical personnel confirmed he was dead on arrival at the hospital. According to Nigeria Info, the cause of Akin Olowokere is officially not known yet.
Olowokere’s death joins a growing list of Nigerian sports stars lost in 2025, including boxer Gabriel Olanrewaju, who passed away in Accra.
Shooting Stars confirm Olowokere’s passing
Not long after word of the tragedy spread, Shooting Stars SC, who finished 8th in the 2024/25 NPFL, according to Flashscore, released an official confirmation of their assistant head coach’s death.
The Nigeria Premier League outfit described him as a passionate and dedidacated football trainer and also a mentor, and a father figure to all his players and several others.
In their message, Shooting Stars extended sincere condolences to Olowokere’s family, friends, players, technical team colleagues, and the wider Nigerian football family.
Who is Akin Olowokere?
Olowokere is a former player for Sunshine Stars of Akure and was a highly respected figure in Nigerian football. He once served as assistant coach to manager Edith Agoye at Sunshine Stars before moving on to 3SC, according to Vanguard.
He also had a brief spell with Ekiti United, leading the team for only two months before resigning, citing personal reasons.
Source: Twitter
Meanwhile, lots of football fans have taken to social media to share their messages of sympathy.
@Tobe_Betting wrote:
”Tragic news hitting Nigerian football! Coach Akin just slumped and passed on di pitch dis morning – di Oluyole Warriors don lose a true master tactician. Na him type we need more of for our football, but God get better plan. Rest in power, Coach! Your legacy with Shooting Stars go live forever.”
@Olukayode commented:
”Wow! This is so so tragic, wasn’t he only recently appointed? Life is so so fleeting. May his soul rest ion peace and the comfort of the Lord to his family and loved ones.”
@OlaMidipupo wrote:
”I just hope NPFL teams does comprehensive medical for both Coaching staff & players. Bcs mere looking at the coach in that recently release video by the club introducting the coaching staff shows that the deceased coach is not looking healthy and fitted 4 a rigorous coaching job.”
@Sowande_Ayomide reacted:
”May God forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest. So sardonic and pathetic. We hope to see the end of some of these terrible news. It is so sad to leave home to work and only return as a dead body.”
@Okanga_Olufujabi commented:
”The newly appointed Assistant Coach? This is a rude shock!May his soul rest in God’s peace, Amen.Unbelievable! So painful”
Peter Rufai’s death
YEN.com.gh earlier reported on the paassing of former Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper Peter Rufai, who left us on Thursday July 3, 2025.
A pivotal figure in the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, Rufai played a crucial role in Nigeria’s dominance of African football at the time.
Source: YEN.com.gh
