Former Gambian coach Johnson passes on

Banjul, Gambia (PANA)   -   Former Gambia national coach Peter Bonu Johnson died here Sunday at the age of 56 following a long illness, the president of The Gambia Football Federation (GFF), Lamin Kaba Bajo, told PANA here.

He told PANA that he was informed by the late Johnson’s family, describing the news as a sad one for the Gambia Football Federation (GFF).              

“It is with a heavy heart and regret that I announce the passing of former Gambia National Team Coach Peter Bonu Johnson,” Bajo said.

“I have just been informed about the passing. He has contributed immensely to the growth and development of football in The Gambia and his death is an irreparable loss to our game and the country at large. I pray for Allah to have mercy on his soul.”

As a result of Johnson’s demise, the president has also called off an important function at Football House Sunday to end a two-day executive committee and staff retreat.

Johnson was born on 10th May, 1963, in Banjul. He played for The Gambia national team between 1983 and 1994. Between 2004 and 2008 and from 2012 to 2013, he worked as assistant coach for the senior national team.

The late Johnson’s biggest achievement as a manager was in 2007 when he guided The Gambia U-20 Team to third place at the African Youth Championship and a maiden appearance at the World Youth championship in Canada where they exited at the knockout stages.

In January 2012, he was appointed as the head coach of the senior national team but his stint was short-lived after he left in May of that year.

He returned as head coach in 2013 for another short stint and was appointed the CHAN Team manager in 2015 but left after three months following the team’s exit at the hands of Senegal.

. 0-   PANA    MSS/RA   28Jul2019