Lekopanye Mooketsi
3 December 2008
Former national team player, Terence Mophuting is dead. Mophuting who played for Gaborone United (GU), BDF XI, Extension Gunners, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Notwane died on Monday afternoon at Jwaneng Hospital following a short illness.
Mophuthing made his name at GU where he started his playing career in the 1980s. His father managed the club for a long time.
He was a powerhouse at GU with his dangerous runs from the left back. He was part of the national team, which defeated Malawi during Botswana's 20th anniversary of independence in 1986.
In the late 1980s, Mophuting sneaked into neighbouring South Africa to join Iwisa Kaizer Chiefs who later loaned him to other clubs.
He came back to the country and played for several clubs. When an exodus of top players trooped to Extension Gunners in the early 1990s, Mophuting was among them. He was instrumental in the crack Gunners' squad that clinched the national title for three years in a row.
His last club was Notwane which he also coached after retirement. Mophuting was a versatile player who could feature in any position including the goalkeeping department. He was a disciplined player and he rarely received red cards.
Former Notwane player, James 'Ace' Mooki said he had known Mophuting since their childhood and they were close friends. Mooki said when he joined Notwane, Mophuting was playing for GU.
He said Mophuting's death has come as a great shock to him. "I have lost a friend. I did not know that he was sick even though we communicated on regular basis.
"I think he had a sudden illness otherwise he could have told me a long time ago," said Mooki.
He described Mophuting as a humble person who loved football. He recalled that when Mophuting came back from South Africa, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) banned him from playing in the country and Notwane requested that he should be pardoned.
He said his friend moved to his home village of Kanye, about two years ago to run a small business.
BFA technical director, Losika 'Six' Keatlholetswe who coached Mophuting both at BDF XI and the national team, described him as a disciplined, intelligent and dedicated player.
Keatlholetswe said Mophuting contributed so much to local football. He said he gave Botswana football exposure when he played in South Africa.
BFA chief executive officer, Mooketsi 'Tosh' Kgotlele said Botswana has lost a great footballer. He echoed Keatlholetswe's sentiments that Mophuthing has contributed tremendously to local football.
"One would have loved a situation when after his retirement, he could have remained involved in the game. I wish ex-players would be participating actively in the game by taking coaching roles," he said.
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