29 Apr 2025

The football fraternity  is  mourning the loss of former BDF XI and Botswana national football team, the Zebras coach, Stanley Tshosane who passed on Friday. 

His passing has left an indelible mark on the hearts of football enthusiasts countrywide. Bra Stan, as he was affectionately called, holds a record of being the first coach to take the Zebras to its debut AFCON tournament held in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Yesterday, this publication got into the streets of Molepolole to gather views across different people who remembered Tshosane concerning his coaching calling. Elias Basimolodi from Mmopi ward said he had known ‘Stan’ as the best ever national team coach when he led the Zebras to play in the 2012 AFCON.  Another football lover Gofaonemang Seletamotse from Goo-Moloinyana ward, said Tshosane was a man who instilled discipline in his players. 

“I salute Stan for giving local football the dignity it deserved. He had built a formidable team especially at the back. He used a system that we dubbed ‘go pheka base,’ the system was so solid for opponents to penetrate as nine players were deployed at the defence while one remained at the top. Indeed, we have lost someone whom other local coaches could have bench-marked from,” said Seletamotse. 

The 27-year-old Letlhogonolo Tlalenyane of Kgaimena ward said Tshosane’s leadership shaped the national football team’s identity and presence in Africa. According to Ronald Lefaratlhatlhe from Dihetlhamolelo ward, Tshosane was  capable of giving players motivation, respect and love.

“His critics were so constructive as all the players he fielded were hard workers and never easily surrendered until the last whistle. He had built a very strong fortress,” said Lefaratlhatlhe. 

Morobi Tsiane of Bokaa ward remembered Tshosane for the glory days of Zebras. 

“We had a good coach in Tshosane. I recall those days when the Zebras was playing and the whole nation would be teemed with joy. When the Zebras became victorious during Tshosane’s time  fans sang victory songs, ululating while some rolled water tanks along the streets in cheerful mood. He used to have good players like Dipsy ‘U-turn’ Selolwane and Mogogi Gabonamong, among others. I heard that those players are now retired but my wish was that they should not stay home but coach the young players,” said Tsiane.

Tshosane will be buried in Tati Siding on Saturday. ENDS