Donald Thobega
Encyclopedia
Donald Thobega often known by his nickname Boboza, was a Botswana
footballer who played as a midfielder. A sergeant in the Botswana military
, he last played for Botswana Defence Force XI
. Between 1999 and 2006, he won a total of five caps
for the Botswana national football team
.
Thobega started his career in the Botswana lower leagues before transferring to Mogoditshane Fighters
in 1998. He was a patron of the Test For Life campaign. On 28 March 2009, Thobega died three weeks after being involved in a car accident near Lobatse. He was buried in his home village of Ramotswa on 4 April 2009.
as a private in 2005 and by the time of his death had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Outside of football, he was involved in the Test For Life campaign, which encourages football supporters in Botswana to be tested for HIV and AIDS.
by manager David Bright
. He formed a solid defensive partnership with international team-mate Mogogi Gabonamong
, and was captain of the Mogoditshane team that achieved three consecutive Premier League titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The team also won the league in 2003, as well as winning the Botswana Challenge Cup
in 1999, 2000 and 2003.
In 2005, Thobego left Mogoditshane to join the Botswana Defence Force
. He became a part of the military football team, the Botswana Defence Force XI
, and
was appointed team captain. The team reached the final of the Challenge Cup in his first, but lost 3–1 to Township Rollers
. The following season, they again reached the final but were defeated 2–1 by Notwane FC
.
in 1999. That year, he made his international debut as a substitute. It was another two years before he played again for his country, when he again appeared from the substitutes' bench. In 2002, he won three more caps for his country. He was last called up to the Botswana team on 9 September 2007, when manager Colwyn Rowe
included Thobega in the 23-man squad to face South Africa
. He did not feature in that match, and was never selected for the national side again.
Botswana Defence Force XI manager Pudulogo Sokwane spoke highly of Thobega, stating that he was "shocked about his death" and that it was "really painful to have been robbed of such a star." Fellow Botswana international and Defence Force XI team-mate Nelson Gabolwelwe
also praised Thobega, saying he had lost "a close friend in the team".
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
footballer who played as a midfielder. A sergeant in the Botswana military
Botswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
, he last played for Botswana Defence Force XI
Botswana Defence Force XI
Botswana Defence Force XI Football Club is a football club from Botswana based in Gaborone. It is the club of the Botswana Defence Force.-Honors:*Premier League: 7*Botswana Challenge Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
. Between 1999 and 2006, he won a total of five caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Botswana national football team
Botswana national football team
The Botswana national football team, nicknamed 'The Zebras' is the national football team of Botswana and is controlled by the Botswana Football Association. They have never qualified for the World Cup but they have qualified for the 2012 African Nations Cup...
.
Thobega started his career in the Botswana lower leagues before transferring to Mogoditshane Fighters
Mogoditshane Fighters
Mogoditshane Fighters are a football club from the Mogoditshane in Botswana.The club's nickname is "The Brazilians".- Achievements :*Mascom Premier League: 4** 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003*Botswana Challenge Cup: 3** 1999, 2000, 2003...
in 1998. He was a patron of the Test For Life campaign. On 28 March 2009, Thobega died three weeks after being involved in a car accident near Lobatse. He was buried in his home village of Ramotswa on 4 April 2009.
Personal life
Thobega was born on 21 October 1979. He subscribed to the Botswana Defence ForceBotswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
as a private in 2005 and by the time of his death had been promoted to the rank of sergeant. Outside of football, he was involved in the Test For Life campaign, which encourages football supporters in Botswana to be tested for HIV and AIDS.
Club
Thobega's career began in the Botswana lower divisions, where he played for Mogonye Jungle Kings and Manyana Lucky Brothers. In 1998, he was signed for Botswana Premier League club Mogoditshane FightersMogoditshane Fighters
Mogoditshane Fighters are a football club from the Mogoditshane in Botswana.The club's nickname is "The Brazilians".- Achievements :*Mascom Premier League: 4** 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003*Botswana Challenge Cup: 3** 1999, 2000, 2003...
by manager David Bright
David Bright (soccer)
Major David Bright is a Botswanan football coach currently managing Bay United. He is considered to be one of Botswana’s most successful coaches....
. He formed a solid defensive partnership with international team-mate Mogogi Gabonamong
Mogogi Gabonamong
Mogogi Gabonamong is a Botswanan football defensive midfielder and defender for South African Premier Soccer League club Supersport United and Botswana.-Information:*Year joined Supersport: 2011...
, and was captain of the Mogoditshane team that achieved three consecutive Premier League titles in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The team also won the league in 2003, as well as winning the Botswana Challenge Cup
FA Challenge Cup (Botswana)
The FA Challenge Cup is the national football cup competition for Botswana, it was created in 1968.The cup was previously called the Lions Cup.-Winners/Finalists:*1968: Gaborone United...
in 1999, 2000 and 2003.
In 2005, Thobego left Mogoditshane to join the Botswana Defence Force
Botswana Defence Force
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. It was formed in 1977 and has approximately 9,000 members. The commander is Lieutenant General Tebogo Masire. The commander in chief is the President of Botswana...
. He became a part of the military football team, the Botswana Defence Force XI
Botswana Defence Force XI
Botswana Defence Force XI Football Club is a football club from Botswana based in Gaborone. It is the club of the Botswana Defence Force.-Honors:*Premier League: 7*Botswana Challenge Cup: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
, and
was appointed team captain. The team reached the final of the Challenge Cup in his first, but lost 3–1 to Township Rollers
Township Rollers
Township Rollers is a football club based in Botswana Gaborone. Township Rollers are popularly known as Mapalastina. The club was founded in 1961. Township Rollers has a bitter and old rivalry with their closest neighbors Gaborone United....
. The following season, they again reached the final but were defeated 2–1 by Notwane FC
Notwane FC
Notwane FC is a football club from Botswana based in Gaborone.-Achievements:*Botswana Premier League: 3*Botswana Challenge Cup: 3*Botswana Independence Cup: 2*Orange Kabelano Charity Cup: 1-Performance in CAF competitions:...
.
International
Thobega earned his first call-up to the Botswana national football teamBotswana national football team
The Botswana national football team, nicknamed 'The Zebras' is the national football team of Botswana and is controlled by the Botswana Football Association. They have never qualified for the World Cup but they have qualified for the 2012 African Nations Cup...
in 1999. That year, he made his international debut as a substitute. It was another two years before he played again for his country, when he again appeared from the substitutes' bench. In 2002, he won three more caps for his country. He was last called up to the Botswana team on 9 September 2007, when manager Colwyn Rowe
Colwyn Rowe
Colwyn Roger Rowe is an English football coach and former professional player. He is currently the manager of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.-Playing career:...
included Thobega in the 23-man squad to face South Africa
South Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
. He did not feature in that match, and was never selected for the national side again.
Death
In March 2009, Thobega was involved in a car accident while driving back to Lobatse from a music concert in Molapowabojang. Following the incident, he spent almost three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit of Princes Marina Hospital in Lobatse. He died of his injuries on 28 March 2009 and was buried in Ramotswa on 4 April 2009.Botswana Defence Force XI manager Pudulogo Sokwane spoke highly of Thobega, stating that he was "shocked about his death" and that it was "really painful to have been robbed of such a star." Fellow Botswana international and Defence Force XI team-mate Nelson Gabolwelwe
Nelson Gabolwelwe
Nelson Gabolwelwe is a Botswanan footballer who plays for Botswana Defence Force XI in the Mascom Premier League.-External links:*...
also praised Thobega, saying he had lost "a close friend in the team".