Where’s the good in goodbye?

Mqondisi Dube | Friday May 2, 2025 12:41

On Friday, April 25, 2025, one of life’s most heartless robbers, death, carried out its usual callous act, this time robbing the nation of a prominent, history-making son.

Stanley ‘Hunter’ Tshosane breathed his last in the early hours of Friday, leaving a nation engulfed in grief. However, amidst the dark cloud, the treasure trove of lasting memories that Tshosane created on the pitch, provide the silver lining.

Whilst Tshosane managed clubs, notably BDF XI and Mogoditshane Fighters, it was at the national team with the Zebras where his career really took flight. A commanding but polarising figure, Tshosane found his way into the history books after being the first-ever coach to lead the Zebras to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in 2012. Prior, the nation’s hopes were fading that their beloved but underwhelming brand will ever share the top table with Africa’s finest.

Against all odds, Tshosane achieved the feat bringing joy to a side formed in 1970 but consistently struggling for relevance. Tshosane built a solid squad, which relied on team work rather than individual stars as he created his own identity, a method which proved effective but unpopular in some quarters. Tshosane’s side worked a solid defensive unit, getting the job done through gritty performances, without necessarily dazzling. This proved to be what the doctor had ordered as the Zebras’ barren run came to an unexpected end.

Placed in a tough group that had former champions, Tunisia and a then-strong Togo side, the Zebras were not favoured to progress during the 2012 AFCON qualifiers. Two spaces were on offer for the five teams that also included Chad and Malawi.

Botswana shocked all and sundry by beating Tunisia home and away with identical 1-0 scores which undoubtedly remained Bra Stan’s career highlight.

The Zebras qualified convincingly, finishing top with 17 points with only one defeat, whilst second-placed Tunisia were three points adrift. The 2012 qualifiers brought to the fore Jerome Ramatlhakwana’s Jekyll and Hyde form as the striker, despite hardly being used by his South African side, Engen Santos, emerged as the top goal-scorer for the Zebras with five goals. Other than being the first coach to take the Zebras to the AFCON finals, Tshosane achieved the highest FIFA ranking with the team as Botswana reached position 53 in 2010. That record has not been bettered, and in 2011, the Zebras were nominated for a CAF award, amongst nominees for Best Team of the Year, whilst Tshosane was in the running for the Coach of the Year gong. Ramatlhakwana was nominated for CAF African Player of the Year, although he did not make the shortlist.

The striker, who was deadly with his right foot, fondly remembers Tshosane.

“Madala, as we called him, first of all was a father figure to everyone in the team. He wanted to know how the family was doing. He constantly gave us advice about life and he would always remind us to plan for the future,” Ramatlhakwana said.

He added that above everything, Tshosane was a humorous person.

“He was a funny guy who used to crack jokes a lot. In terms of coaching, we all know his achievements. To us who worked closely with him, when it was time for business, he would be a different man, as serious as hell,” he said.

“Personally, he contributed a lot to me as I produced the best performance under him and I had the best international career under him,” Ramatlhakwana added.

The man who marshalled the troops as captain, Mompati Thuma, said Tshosane was everything to him and the team.

“We have lost a great man, we have lost a father figure, we have lost a hero. Stan was a father to me. I joined BDF XI in 2006 and my first game was against Township Rollers in the Coca-Cola final, and Stan made me what I am in football. I was his trusted lieutenant,” Thuma said. He said Tshosane was an honest person who would call one out if he did not like something. Thuma said he was in constant touch with Tshosane through his illness, which led to his demise.

“During his final days, he emphasised that we should stick together and we should stay united. He played a vital role on all of us and it was an honour to achieve what we did and me being the captain,” Thuma said.

“I still remember his words when we qualified. He said, ‘My boy, we have qualified, and this will be history which no one will erase.’ It is sad, but we have to accept that he ran his race. We have lost a true leader and a hero who was dedicated to his work,” he added.

Midfield maestro, Mogogi ‘Gino’ Gabonamong, one of the heroes of 2012, said he owes his career to Tshosane.

“Madala played a huge role in my career, right from the beginning. I first met Madala when I was around 16 when I joined Mogoditshane Fighters, and I grew up under him and the other madala, (the late) David Bright. They truly shaped my skills and fine-tuned me,” Gabonamong said.

He remembers Tshosane as a father figure who used to share life skills, as much as football tips.

“He was a parent, a true father figure, and believed in Botswana players and Botswana football. He was always keen to keep learning about the game,” Gabonamong said.

“When you speak about the roots of Botswana football, you speak of Stan and men like Fakude (Bright), coaches that not only taught us the game but built our characters,” Gabonamong said.

Tshosane died two years short of his 70th birthday and will be buried in Tati Siding on Saturday.

As artist Madison Beer sings in her 2021 song, ‘Good In Goodbye’, ‘I ain’t even gotta try to find the G-O-O-D in goodbye’.