26 Feb 2017

The local football fraternity was this past weekend plunged into a somber mood after the untimely passing on of one of its finest and outspoken leaders, Phenyo Gothaang.

At the time of his death Gothaang was chairperson of Lobatse-based BTC Premiership giants, Extension Gunners.

The sad news was confirmed in an interview by the team’s vice chairperson, Hennel Kaisara yesterday.

Though details of his passing were still sketchy at the time of going to press, Kaisara said they received news that Gothaang lost his life after a road mishap while travelling from Gaborone to Lobatse to attend to the team’s Open Day.

Due to the closure of the Otse-Lobatse Road he used the new route and met his fate between Ntlhantlhe and Mogobane.

“I can confirm that myself, the public relations officer, vice secretary general, welfare manager, chairman of Gaborone West branch and All Kasi representative, Ian Kebopetswe met the family yesterday after the PRO confirmed with Athlone Hospital. We then confirmed with Lyns Funeral Parlor in Lobatse with the family with the help of Woodhall Police. It should be noted that the family granted us the right to inform Gunners Family and Batswana.However, we don’t have control over social media which goes viral and we always hope for the best and expect the worst.The nephew learnt about the sad news on social media and informed the family, sad indeed. The accident was head on with a government vehicle and his vehicle is a write off. People will be informed about further developments by the PRO. All is well with my soul,” read Kaisara’s post on Facebook.

Gothaang was part of an ambitious committee that had a plan to turn the fortunes around at the beleaguered Lobatse soccer team and return it to its past glory day. Before being retained as chairperson he led an interim committee that was tasked with breathing life into a team that was blown apart by internal feuds and financial doldrums which resulted in mass exodus of big name players and influential central committee members.

As a token of appreciation for his unwavering professionalism, organisational skills and leadership qualities, Township Rollers recently appointed Gothaang as Head of Delegation on their CAF assignment against CNaPS Sport in Madagascar.

When he was tasked with drawing a crisis plan to get Gunners out of the woods,  the outspoken Gothaang was adamant that peace would soon prevail at the ailing former three times consecutive league champions.

Sadly, he passes on when talk was growing thick and fast that the team would soon unveil a big money investor.

Gothaang was also at the helm of roping in Tsa Gae (Pty) commonly known as All Kasi to take over Gunners’ contract management. ENDS