07 May 2017

Multitudes of supporters from across the football fraternity came to bid farewell to Gofaone ‘Sbidah’ Tiro whom they celebrated at his burial on May 6.

Speakers who attended the funeral at Gulubane described the young player whose passing shocked many, as one of the best right footed stars who blossomed from a young age.

Tiro collapsed during training with his teammates in Tlokweng on April 28 and was rushed to hospital where he was certified dead on arrival.

Uniao Flamengo Santos 'Sexton' Kowa was moved to tears as he described how he groomed the young player from the days he was still schooling and mentored him until he was promoted to the senior team.

Kowa said Tiro showed commitment in the sport from a young age, presenting a skill that only needed polishing to reach greater heights, something that earned him a place in the under 12 team and graduating to competitive football at the age of 17.

“Sbidah was a burgeoning talent waiting to burst to prominence,” he said.

He noted that his calmness under pressure, pin point passing and wild attacking manoeuvres from the flanks helped him flourish in UF Santos for five years before moving to Flamingo Desportos where he played from 2009 to 2013 when he moved to Rollers.

During his stay at UF Santos, Kowa said he was awarded top goal scorer award for the team and the Coca Cola man of the match in the semi-final fixture against BDF XI in 2012-2013 season.

His former coach at Township Rollers, now Orapa United coach, Madinda Ndlovu said when Rollers’ Somerset Gobuiwang recommend him players in 2013, Tiro’s physical appearance did not match his requirements until they played a friendly match against a team he was playing for.

Seeing ‘Sbidah’ perform, Ndlovu said he never looked back and swiftly approached management to sign him.

Although he would give him little game time, it was enough for the young player to perform wonders and helped the team win, even at times they were not playing well.

Current Rollers coach, Mogomotsi Mpote said when he took over as head coach, he started giving Tiro full game time because of his capabilities, having worked with him in the Under 20 team.

At times, Mpote said he would play Tiro as a substitute and he would turn the game around and put life in the game the moment he got hold of the ball, resulting in claims that Rollers was winning by cheating other teams as they earned penalties which helped earn maximum points.

Rollers chairperson, Walter Kgabung said the team would retire jersey 25 in honour of the departed player. ENDS