Gofaone Tiro

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Gofaone Tiro (21 January 1991 – 27 April 2017) was a Botswana footballer who played as a winger. He was born in Gulubane, Botswana, and died in Tlokweng, Botswana, at the age of 26.

Club career
Tiro began his senior career with Chiefs Botswana, then moved to Flamengo Desportos. After Flamengo Desportos merged with Gabane Santos to form Uniao Flamengo Santos, he stayed with the new club and became its top scorer, also earning a man of the match award in the 2012 FA Cup. In 2013 he joined Township Rollers, where he established himself as one of the country’s best young players and helped Rollers win two league titles. The team reached the Mascom Top 8 Cup finals three times but did not win the competition. He never played for the Botswana national team at any level.

Playing style and nickname
Tiro was predominantly a right winger who could also operate on either flank. He was known for his pace, technical ability, and smart passing, often setting up attackers with penetrating runs. He was affectionately called “the President” by Rollers fans, and sometimes “the Principal” alongside midfielder Lawrence Majawa.

Death and impact
Tiro collapsed during a training session on 27 April 2017 and died from a heart attack after being rushed to hospital. He was buried in Gulubane. His death prompted the Botswana Football Association to introduce heart defect screening and to require doctors in club licensing regulations. Township Rollers continue to remember him as a talented player who died too soon; the team went on to win the 2017 league title about a month after his passing.

Physical attributes
Height: 1.76 m.