28 Jan 2021

As Major David Bright’s remains are interred into the ground at the Phomolong Memorial Park cemetery in Gaborone tommorow (January 29), the football fraternity bids a kind adieu to one of its pioneering leading lights. 

By recording victories over top sides in Cameroon, Tunisia and Morocco, with the national Under 23 side in 2006-7, Bright made Botswana football begin to believe that qualification for major tournaments was possible. 

In becoming the first Motswana to become a head coach in Africa’s most commercial league, the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL), he broke barriers for Botswana football. 

The memorable words attributed to American astronaut, Neil Armstrong, upon becoming the first human to step on the moon, that he had made ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,’ are applicable in this regard. 

By coaching Engen Santos, Bay United, Royal Eagles and Black Leopards in the PSL and national first division (NFD), the top two tiers of South African football, Bright opened doors for the local game. 

It is now incumbent upon current and future Batswana coaches to follow suit. 

Together with Sikalame ‘Six’ Keatlholetswe and Stanley Tshosane, Bright was one of the top coaches that developed out of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to become top national coaches, who were well qualified and had coaching internships as far afield as Brazil. 

It was during his 13-year spell at Mogoditshane Fighters from the early the 1990s to the early 2000s that Bright came to be a decorated coach. 

He led a talented side that had the likes of Mompati Thuma, Mogogi Gabonamong, Masego Nchingane, Barney Marman and Edwin Disang, who also made the bulk of the senior national team. 

Under his tutelage, Fighters were national champions for three years in a row, in 1999, 2000, 2001, then later in 2003.

They also won the then Coca Cola Cup on three occasions, defeating FC Satmos in the 1999 final, Gaborone United in 2000 then Township Rollers in 2003. 

Through his stewardship, Fighters also won the defunct Botswana Independence Cup in the year 2000.

Bright also coached various clubs, among them, BDF XI, Township Rollers, Gaborone United, Holy Ghost, Morupule Wanderers and Sua Flamingoes.

As the national Under 23 team mentor in 2007-8, Bright came within 90 minutes close to a historic qualification to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

His side, known as, The Dream Team had the likes of Jerome Ramatlhakwana, Dirang Moloi, Phenyo Mongala, Musa Ohilwe, Mosimanegape Ramohibidu, Moemedi Moatlhaping, Kekaetswe Moloi, among others. 

It did exceptionally well in an Olympic qualifying group that included Cameroon, Morocco and Guinea-Conakry. 

In the All Africa Games qualifiers, The Dream Team defeated Angola in Gaborone, drew 0-0 with Tunisia away, before winning the home game 1-0, the first time a Botswana side had defeated North African opposition, something repeated in the Olympic qualifiers as the Young Zebras defeated Morocco 2-0 in Gaborone.

In an Under 23 Four Nations tournament hosted by China in 2007, featuring the hosts, Japan, South Korea and Botswana, Bright’s team emerged winners. 

These results were ground breaking for the local game and his success also grabbed the attention of Santos in Cape Town, where he broke new ground for domestic football. 

In addition, Bright had several stints with the senior national team in the late 1990s, early 2000s and 2017-19. 

He will be sorely missed for his indelible contribution to the development of the national sport. 

As Botswana football’s Bright light is dimmed, it is incumbent on those who remain to emulate his example and stoke the flame anew. Ends