Coaches I’ve worked with: That’s all we can really do
They say, “It never rains but pours!” as we experience yet another black cloud hanging over us, as the South African football fraternity has been hit by another death of a legend and someone who played such an important role in our Beautiful Game. The news of the passing away of Bra Phil “Mr Jones” Setshedi came as a huge shock and a blow. It is really sad, I must say, because it has been a while since I last spoke to him. Fortunately enough, I had a chance to check up on him over the phone and he was over the moon to receive that call. I kept on promising to come visit him, but my schedule just wouldn’t allow. At some stage, I called him and his phone was off and I could not get hold of him. Here I am today, hearing that he is no more! I must say, it is a bitter pill to swallow because Bra Phil was such a humble gentleman. I’ve never seen him upset or shouting at someone in anger. He was always calm, but he reprimanded when it was necessary but not in a harsh manner. I was so fortunate to have watched him play and captaining Orlando Pirates. He was a clean defender who seldom rough-tackled the opposition strikers. He was always cool, calm and collected in everything he did on and off the field. As much as I admired him, I never knew he would become my national team coach one day. He is one of the coaches I really admired and I am sure most of you will remember what I said about him in one of my previous columns. I will always cherish each and every moment we shared in that dressing room, in camp, on the field and in life in general. This is a man that propelled my performances in the national team.
Whenever the chips were down, Bra Phil just knew what to say or do. He would just brush the back of my head and say, “Doki, this is the time, boy, for you to show up! This is the time for you to give us what we need. Go out there and lift the game and the boys.” There must be something I was doing right for him, Clive Barker and other coaches to always single me out to lift the team or change its fortunes. However, Clive and Phil stand out because we had a lengthy period together. He was assistant coach to Clive and then Augusto Palacios. He really made a mark for himself in the dressing room, at training, in camp and even during the game. At training, you’d be forgiven for thinking we had a commentator because he will be motivating and encouraging the players. He would always remind us of how good and strong we are.
He would tell us no one could beat us. There are certain things that happen in life that we are not in control of. We don’t control when and how a baby will be born just as we don’t control when and how someone takes their last breath. We celebrate when someone is born and mourn when someone dies. That’s all we can really do and anything else is beyond our control. I’d like to believe the Setshedi family is proud of Bra Phil because this man embraced and represented them with nothing but pride. Some of us were so fortunate to be coached and mentored by him to such an extent that he became a friend. He was also a father-figure who was always there to motivate and warn us about the ups and downs of life. When our careers started to blossom and people became aware of who and what we were all about, Bra Phil always made it a point to keep us level-headed. This man is part of the history that took place in 1996 when we won the Afcon and 1998 when we qualified for the first FIFA World Cup in France. He might not have been celebrated as much as he deserved, but we all know what he contributed to our success. I really don’t know what to say anymore because this life can be cruel, but we have to stay strong. Sometimes we have to be strong for ourselves, our families and those around us. I just want to send my heartfelt condolences to the Setshedi family, Orlando Pirates, former teammates, national teams, friends, the football fraternity and everyone who knew this humble giant. May Bra Phil’s soul rest in peace. He’s joining his friend and colleague Clive, and some of his former players. Go well, Bra Phil!