MAJOR DAVID BRIGHT IS NO MORE

BY: Rapalai Calystus

Botswana football and the nation at large are mourning the death of former Zebras coach Major David Bright, aged 65.

Fakude, as affectionally known, passed away on Monday 25th January 2021 at the Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital, due to COVID 19 related illness.

TALKING POINTS

• Bright is the only Motswana to coach in South Africa
• Fakude built a house hold name for himself at Mogoditshane Fighters
• He recently won Mascom Top 8 with Gaborone United

BRIGHT COACHED IN INTERNATIONAL SCENES

Bright had an amazing coaching career being the only Motswana to coach in South African top flight football, leaving a mark both locally and internationally. One can always remember him and the impact he brought to the clubs he coached in the Premier Soccer League(PSL) and First Division Sides at South Africa, the likes of Chippa United, Santos, Black Leopards, Bay United (Polokwane City), FC Cape Town, Sivutsa Stars and Thanda Royal Zulu.

MAJOR DAVID BRIGHT MADE A MARK AT MOGODITSHANE FIGHTERS

Major David Bright will forever be in the hearts of Mogoditshane Fighters supporters’ hearts. He won the league with the Mogoditshane based side three times, back-to-back between 1999-2001 during his 13 year spell at the club after joining them in 1992.

Not only the ‘Samba boys’-Mogoditshane Fighters will remember him, he also left a great mark at Gaborone United as he led them to their first Mascom Top 8 silverware back in 2013. He also got a chance to lead some other local clubs such as Township Rollers, Holy Ghost and the current Sua Flamingos.

BRIGHT HELPED SOME OF THE BEST FOOTBALL STARS IN BOTSWANA

He was not only a coach, but also acting as a parent and agent as he helped a number of Batswana players find jobs in the league as he signed some of them, including former Zebras goalkeeper Modiri Marumo and Mogogi Gabonamong to mention a few.

DAVID BRIGHT MEMORIAL

Due to his impact in football, he sadly left the hearts of football lovers broken. Through social media condolences to the family of the late former Zebras head coach Major Bright who recently passed away at Sir Ketumile Masire hospital being sent across the vast expanses of the world including one from the FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

For his lovingly characters, football have not lost only a coach but a father to players. “We lost a father, a mentor bro wame, when you are with him you feel at home and I was learning a lot from Fakude”, Sua Flamingos midfielder Rebaone Modisaotsile.

Major David Bright had good leadership skills one could expect from a team leader, always motivating his players. The Gaborone United official, Nicholas Zakhem said Major David Bright was a great motivator, full of confidence, and a real winner in the dugout, and that his death has robbed Botswana Football of a coach with wealth of experience.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF MAJOR DAVID BRIGHT

• Mascom Top 8 title in 2013- Gaborone United

• Three times Botswana Premier League winner – Mogoditshane Fighters

Major David Bright leaves behind his wife (Mma Mogomotsi) and five children, two men and three women. The proceedings to the interment of coach Major David Bright are underway.

The deceased was laid to rest on Friday 29 January at Phomolong in Phakalane.