00:00Well, we begin at half-mast as Leo Benhaka, the coach responsible for this country's first and only World Cup appearance, has died at the age of 82.
00:17The former Ajax and Real Madrid coach, who is a Shakonia gold medal holder, etched his name in TNT's football history when he took the Soka Warriors to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
00:27All news of his passing has provoked tributes far and wide.
00:33Created history by qualifying for the FIFA Men's World Cup for the first time, with Dutchman Leo Benhaka being the one to take them to Germany in 2006.
00:41Following his death at the age of 82, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association has issued a statement to pay tribute to the man nicknamed Don Leo.
00:49According to the TTFA, when Benhaka accepted the job, he walked into a dream many thought was unreachable, but turned it into a living reality.
00:58Leo was more than a coach to Trinidad and Tobago. He was a visionary leader, a mentor, and above all, a believer.
01:05The Football Association further states, the journey to Germany was more than just football, as it was also about belief, identity, and hope.
01:15Leo saw not just athletes, but ambassadors in our Soka Warriors.
01:20He nurtured talent, instilled discipline, and brought out the best in every player.
01:24Former player, now coach Dwight York, has also paid tribute to Benhaka.
01:30He says, quote,
01:31He was more than a tactician. He was a leader who respected the culture, earned our trust, and inspired a nation.
01:37I will always be grateful for his impact, unquote.
01:40And another erstwhile player in Stain John says, quote,
01:44He loved me like a son, and I loved him like a father.
01:47His wisdom, warmth, and endless passion for the game will stay with me forever, unquote.
01:52We know now on YouTube, 64.
01:55Well, one man who featured heavily under Benhaka is TNT's defender, Brent Sancho,
02:01who is now with us, live, to reflect on his passing.
02:04Good evening, Brent.
02:06Good afternoon, James, and to all your viewers across the various platforms.
02:10When you heard the news today of Benhaka's passing, give me initial reactions.
02:16Shocked, disbelief, of course, when you get that sort of news,
02:20and right away, starting to think about the good moments,
02:24and that's all you have when you think about Leo Benhaka and what he brought to football in Toronto-Tobago.
02:28So, it was shocking at first, but there's so many great moments that it really warmed my heart.
02:36Let's talk about Benhaka qualifying Trinidad and Tobago,
02:39or helping to qualify Trinidad and Tobago to the 2006 World Cup.
02:42What sort of impact do you think he has made on contribution that he has made to TNT?
02:49Well, first of all, his impact is still felt today.
02:52So many of us that played for that team still contribute heavily,
02:55and a lot of what we do is influenced by Leo Benhaka,
03:00and the way he dealt with us as human beings, first and foremost.
03:04I think when Leo walked into the job, it was probably doing Mission Impossible.
03:10But I think once he walked in those doors,
03:12it was strange seeing a man from another country
03:15that had more belief than us in that room.
03:18It's a dream that many of us in that room shared,
03:21but at the time he walked in, felt that that dream was not going to happen.
03:26But he came in full of energy, full of verve, and full of belief.
03:30And I think we believed in him.
03:32He instilled that belief in us.
03:34Every single player in that squad had a special relationship with Leo
03:39outside of the team dynamics.
03:41And many of us on that team would have done anything humanly possible
03:46just for Leo Benhaka.
03:47And that speaks a testament to the individual that he was,
03:52the type of character that he was,
03:53and what he brought to Toronto-Mago football at that time.
03:57And if he were to take one thing away from his legacy,
04:00what would that be?
04:02Humility.
04:02And I may even touch into the fact that he was just a brilliant man-manager.
04:08He spoke to every player.
04:09He instilled belief in every player.
04:11He made every player feel special.
04:14And in a world sometimes that can be very, very cruel and very cold,
04:18and especially in the sporting world,
04:20to see a gentleman come in and bring that sort of humility
04:24and passion and understanding into the game
04:28was certainly a learning moment for me
04:30and something that still lives with me up until this day.
04:32Well, Brent, again, our condolences to you
04:35and the rest of the SoCo Warriors family from us here at TV6.
04:39Thanks for chatting with us.
04:41Thanks, guys. Have a great night.
04:44Well, tell you what, let's slip across the creek.
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