02 Mar 2017

Extension Gunners Football Club chairman, Phenyo Gothaang, whose life was cut short following a freak head-on collision that claimed the lives of two people on February 25 will be laid to rest at his home village of Pitsane on March 4.

On March 2, football administrators, players and fans took turns to embrace the life of Gothaang.

His uncle, Godiraone Gothaang fought back tears when he delivered a moving eulogy about his late nephew.

The uncle told mourners that Jeje, as he was fondly called by those close to him, lived his life and loved life.

“Phenyo loved finer things in life and to him Gunners was a family. He had a vision for this team that I hope those who take over will fulfill his ambitions,” he said.

He took mourners down memory lane and how his late nephew pulled through academically and career wise against all odds.

He explained that the late Gothaang had a vague premonition about his death as he posted on social media a picture that he captioned “this will make the best funeral programme picture” on February 26, 2013.

Ironically he passed on February 25, 2017.

Gunners’ vice chairperson, Hennel Kaisara, who was the first to break the sad news to Gothaang’s family, promised to march on with Gothaang’s dream of taking Gunners to greater heights.

Kaisara reiterated Gothaang’s uncle's sentiments that the late Gothaang loved life and had the welfare of both Gunners committee members and players at heart.

He also read Gothaang’s favourite scripture likening him to Job, a devout man in the Holy Bible who feared God and eschewed evil.

Representing the Botswana Premier League (BPL) board, Kelesitse Gilika described Gothaang as a firebrand.

Gilika said he knew Gothaang in a short period of time and immediately realised that he was full of energy.

He said Gothaang was the youngest member of the board but at the same time a great dreamer and strategist.

He said they chose Gothaang to represent Botswana on CAF assignment on merit.

Former Gunners manager, Rashid Chopdat sent condolences to the family and said it was disheartening to lose young and promising lives.

Chopdat thus appealed to the entire football fraternity to rally behind the family and support them emotionally in these difficult times. ENDS