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Bob Morris

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Bob Morris

† 2026 · Football manager

“Papua New Guinea football manager who led Lae City to NSL titles and coached the Kapuls.”

Portrait: Oceania Football Confederation

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Bob Morris was a Papua New Guinean football manager who led Lae City to National Soccer League titles and coached the Papua New Guinea men's national team, including at the 2019 Pacific Games and at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji. He died on 14 October 2026. The…

Bob Morris was a Papua New Guinean football manager who led Lae City to National Soccer League titles and coached the Papua New Guinea men's national team, including at the 2019 Pacific Games and at the 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji. He died on 14 October 2026. The circumstances of his death were not made public.

Affectionately nicknamed Kosa BM, Morris was one of the most experienced coaches in domestic and international football in Papua New Guinea. He managed Besta PNG United, Madang FC, Laiwaden FC, Morobe Wawens and Lae City FC, and held roles with national youth and senior sides. He was appointed head coach of Papua New Guinea ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa and remained involved with the Kapuls in later years, including World Cup qualifying preparations in 2021.

At club level his standout success came with Lae City. Taking charge in March 2020 after Peter Gunemba left, he guided a depleted squad to the 2020 National Soccer League championship, beating Vitiaz United 1-0 in the grand final. He was again in charge when Lae City won another national title in February 2023, defeating Hekari United on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

His final international assignment was the September 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji, where Papua New Guinea opened with a 2-1 win over Vanuatu. The Oceania Football Confederation and local football figures paid tribute after his death, remembering his work developing players and coaches across the country. The Oceania Football Centre reported that he died on Wednesday 14 October 2026.

Biography adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Oceania Football Confederation, Oceania Football Centre. Wikipedia ↗

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fell down a YouTube hole on Pacific football a few months back and kept seeing Lae City's 2020 title, 1-0 over Vitiaz United with a squad everyone said shouldn't have won. never been to PNG, don't know the names the way locals do, but that story stuck with me. rest easy Kosa BM

Magda Lewandowski1d ago

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glad it reached you, that win meant a lot here

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10 people are remembering Bob here. Every candle here is someone saying they were glad Bob lived. No account needed; it takes a moment and it stays here.

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Hamish Preston🇺🇸14h ago
Darnell Thomas🇺🇸14h ago
Kosa BM, rest well. PNG football lost a guide.
Katie Fox🇺🇸23h ago
Karim Mansour🇬🇧23h ago
Kosa BM
Jada Hairston🇺🇸1d ago
Benjamin Perlman🇺🇸1d ago
Rowena Santos🇺🇸1d ago
Bryan Reid🇺🇸1d ago

Background

Public profiles of Morris do not record a birth date or detailed early life. He was Papua New Guinean and became known throughout the domestic game as Kosa BM. His playing-era friendships, recalled by journalist Henry Morabang after his death, linked him to football circles long before he became a senior coach.

Public profiles of Morris do not record a birth date or detailed early life. He was Papua New Guinean and became known throughout the domestic game as Kosa BM. His playing-era friendships, recalled by journalist Henry Morabang after his death, linked him to football circles long before he became a senior coach.

Coaching career

Morris managed Besta PNG United and was appointed Madang manager in October 2015. He later coached Laiwaden FC and, in 2020, Morobe Wawens, and also worked with Papua New Guinea's under-23 side. Ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games he was named manager of the Papua New Guinea men's national team. He remained part of the national setup in following years…

Morris managed Besta PNG United and was appointed Madang manager in October 2015. He later coached Laiwaden FC and, in 2020, Morobe Wawens, and also worked with Papua New Guinea's under-23 side.

Ahead of the 2019 Pacific Games he was named manager of the Papua New Guinea men's national team. He remained part of the national setup in following years and in 2021 helped prepare the Kapuls for FIFA World Cup qualifying.

In March 2020 he took over Lae City after Peter Gunemba's departure and led the club to the National Soccer League title that year, with a 1-0 grand-final win over Vitiaz United. In February 2023 Lae City, still under his charge, won another championship against Hekari United on penalties. In 2026 he returned to the national team for the MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji, fielding a mix of established internationals such as Ronald Warisan, Tommy Semmy and Ati Kepo and younger players; Papua New Guinea beat Vanuatu 2-1 in their opener.

Personal life

Tributes after his death came from former players including Shane Sakael, Nigel Malagian and Emmanuel Airem, and from media colleagues. Further family details were not published in the main football obituaries.

Tributes after his death came from former players including Shane Sakael, Nigel Malagian and Emmanuel Airem, and from media colleagues. Further family details were not published in the main football obituaries.

Death

Bob Morris died on 14 October 2026. The Oceania Football Centre reported the date as Wednesday 14 October; the Oceania Football Confederation published an obituary the following day. The circumstances of his death were not publicly disclosed. Tributes described him as a major figure in Papua New Guinea football development.

Bob Morris died on 14 October 2026. The Oceania Football Centre reported the date as Wednesday 14 October; the Oceania Football Confederation published an obituary the following day. The circumstances of his death were not publicly disclosed. Tributes described him as a major figure in Papua New Guinea football development.

Legacy

Morris is remembered for national championships with Lae City, for two spells with the Papua New Guinea national team, and for mentoring players and local coaches. The OFC said his influence would continue to be felt across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Morris is remembered for national championships with Lae City, for two spells with the Papua New Guinea national team, and for mentoring players and local coaches. The OFC said his influence would continue to be felt across Papua New Guinea and the Pacific.

Questions people ask about Bob

Who was Bob Morris?
Bob Morris was a Papua New Guinean football manager, nicknamed Kosa BM, who coached Lae City to National Soccer League titles and led the Papua New Guinea men's national team.
When did Bob Morris die?
He died on 14 October 2026. The Oceania Football Confederation published an obituary on 15 October.
How did Bob Morris die?
The circumstances of his death were not publicly disclosed.
What teams did Bob Morris coach?
He managed Besta PNG United, Madang, Laiwaden, Morobe Wawens and Lae City, and coached Papua New Guinea's senior and under-23 national sides.
What did Bob Morris win with Lae City?
He led Lae City to the National Soccer League championship in 2020 and again in February 2023.
Was Bob Morris coach at the 2026 MSG Cup?
Yes. His last international assignment was the 2026 MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji with Papua New Guinea.

Written by People Forever from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and the reporting cited. Updated . Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Timeline

  1. 1 October 2015
    Appointed Madang manager
  2. 1 January 2019
    Named Papua New Guinea national team manager ahead of the Pacific Games
  3. 1 January 2020
    Led Lae City to the National Soccer League title
  4. 1 March 2020
    Took charge of Lae City
  5. 1 February 2023
    Lae City won another NSL title under Morris
  6. 1 September 2026
    Coached Papua New Guinea at the MSG Prime Minister's Cup in Fiji
  7. 14 October 2026
    Died
  8. 14 October 2026
    Died
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