Doc’s memory bank: We didn’t disappoint

After our team talk at the hotel, with coach Clive, Jomo Sono, Bra Phil and the late former President Nelson Mandela addressed us, before the 1996 Afcon final against Tunisia, at the hotel, Bra Phil came to my room as we were getting ready to leave for the stadium. He told me, “Listen, I don’t want to put you under pressure, but you and me never thought we’d be in the situation we find ourselves in at the moment. We are a few hours away from representing our country in the final of the biggest tournament in the African continent. Today, you need to go out there and make history that no one will ever repeat. This is the day, even if we are gone (one day), that will be remembered in the history books of this country and continent.” The rest is history! I remember his words vividly! He also said, “You’re the only one, except for Shoes Moshoeu, who can make things happen for us. Go out there and deliver, boy! I know what you are capable of and I really want you to make me proud.” He then gave me a warm hug and left. Together with my teammates, we didn’t disappoint and went on to make things happen for the team and the country.

Bra Phil is someone who knew when to take the coach’s hat off. At times, you wouldn’t even think he was an assistant coach. He used to work at a stylish Deans clothing shop in Carlton Centre. He was so stylish and well-dressed as the gentleman that he was. He told me it was time to change my outlook and I was so reluctant, ha, ha, ha. He told me it was time for me to be elegant and I had no option but to follow his advice. He would chase me in the shop, whenever I visited him, showing me what to buy and wear. You’d think we were of the same age whenever we were together with Bra Phil because of the laughs we’d have, but he was always a leader and a voice of reason. He was like a big brother to all of us. Sometimes he would send me to bring him juice and I would intentionally bring him a can of coke. He would be like, “Hey, boy, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you know the difference between coke and juice?” Ha, ha, ha. What a fun gentleman and coach he was! He was somebody who would sit you down and warn you about life. He would never shy away from telling you when you were going off the rails. Personally, I’m glad I appreciated him while he was still alive and not just saying all the good things about him because he is no more. People like Bra Phil have done so much for this country, but it breaks my heart that they are not celebrated enough, while they are still alive. The same thing happened to Clive and I am going to repeat the same thing I have been saying that we need to look after our people and give them their flowers while they are still alive. Politicians have streets and airports named after them, but what about our people who also sacrificed so much for this country? I appreciate Bra Phil as a coach, friend and fatherfigure and everything he has done for me.