Leo Beenhakker, the coach responsible for this country first and only World Cup appearance has died at the age of 82.
The former Ajax and Real Madrid coach who is Chaconia Gold Medal holder etched his name in T&T's football history when he took the Soca Warriors to the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
News of his passing has provoked tributes far and wide.
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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