By Fatu Network reporter
Former Gambia coach Peter Bonu Johnson has died at the age of 56.
The top football mind died on Sunday after a long illness, the Gambia football Federation said on its official website on Sunday.
Tributes poured in Peter Bonu Johnson who also played for The Gambia between 1983 and 1994.
Gambia Football Federation president Lamin Kaba 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.”
Baba S Touray said in a Facebook post: “Sad day for our country as we mourn the death of former Gambian coach Peter Bonu Johnson. A man who dedicated his entire life to the service of country. From being a footballer to coaching at every category of our national football. No doubt our best ever local coach! May his soul rest in peace. Amen.”
Modou Musa Kah, on his part, said: “The sad news is coming in of The passing away of Peter Bonu Johnson a childhood friend who has contributed tremendously to Gambian football and the lives of many Gambians.”
Meanwhile PBJ between 2004 and 2008 and from 2012 to 2013 worked as assistant coach of the senior national team, according to the GFF website.
However, his biggest achievement as a manager came 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, GFF said.
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.
