The Voice (Francistown)
25 March 2008
Francistown — Zebras' defender, Mogogi Gabonamong, says Batswana should be celebrating Coach David Bright's achievements in South Africa.
Gabonamong plies his trade at Cape Town Santos where Bright is coach. Bright was Botswana under-23 coach before he took the Santos job in February with the team lying third from the bottom on the 16-team log.
When he lost his first game 4-1 to Free State Stars skeptics wrote him off but the wily former Botswana Defence Force major went five games without a loss, winning four and drawing one. The good run of form took Santos to fifth on the log, seven points behind log leaders Ajax Cape town.
Santos' rich vein of form under Bright saw them beat two of the 'Big 4' in South African football - Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates, 4-1 and 2-1, respectively.
He also guided his young charges to a goalless draw against defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, on their own turf.
The good run continued last Saturday as Bright did the double over Pirates beating them 5-4 on penalties and knocking them out of the lucrative Nedbank Cup. The winners of the cup pocket R6 million.
Speaking to Voice Sport on Monday as he savoured the weekend victory over Pirates, Gabonamong said: "What Bright is doing is good. It's good not only for Bright but for Botswana football as well. Santos is a team with no big name players and for him to achieve what he has achieved shows he is a good coach. As for me, I have never doubted his ability. I played under him at Mogoditshane Fighters and for the Zebras and know what I am talking about."
Quizzed on what Bright has brought to the team, Gabonamong, who was at Santos before the arrival of the former army man said: "He has brought coordination to the team. He also understands young players and knows
how to get the best out of them."
Gabonamong is, however, worried that talented coaches will be lost to the country unless Botswana football turns professional soon.
"What coach Bright is doing will make the world realize there is talent in Botswana but unless the set up improves such exploits will be useless to the development of football in Botswana. Football in our country needs to turn professional and retain coaches like Bright to help develop the sport, especially young talent. Only then can we compete with countries like South Africa."
The Botswana Football Association is watching and smiling. BFA's Technical Director, Six Keatlholetswe, has expressed delight at Bright's South African exploits.
Speaking to Voice Sport on Wednesday, Keatlholetswe said: "I am over the moon. I am happy for him. What he is doing proves that there are knowledgeable people in this country and that will open doors for coaches and players in the future."
Keatlholetswe feels Bright's achievement "should win some respect for local coaches and encourage other coaches to continue working hard knowing that if you work hard the rewards will come."
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