Jomo Sono and Pitso Mosimane may not be genetically related but the prominent coaches share a bond similar to that of a father and son. Sono says while their relationship may appear to be rosy, the duo have had their ups and downs.
‘The Black Prince’, as Sono is affectionately known, is renowned for his firm grooming and a sharp eye for talent as he has nurtured several top Mzansi footballers.
Mosimane is one such player who Sono chiseled out as a hard rock and shaped into a lethal striker. ‘Jingles’ turned out for clubs like Jomo Cosmos, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, and has a couple of Bafana Bafana appearances to his name.
This week, Mosimane was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg, joining the likes of Sono and Kaizer Motaung as the only former SA footballers to be bestowed with the title of Doctor.
“I feel very proud like any father when your child graduates, you are proud. I come a long way with him and people say because I spotted him and I groomed him, he played for Cosmos, they think we have never had quarrels in the way – we have,” said Sono.
“I remember when we beat him in of the cups, he lost it and he attacked me.
“He said, ‘What kind of football we were playing’. I said I don’t have money to buy players. I beat him on penalties after we played 0-0. I parked the bus for 90 minutes and he was very upset with me.
“I could see from that time that this kid is going to go far because he wanted to win at all times. That attitude of wanting to win has not changed, it has made him what he is today. Congratulations to him,” Sono added.
Mosimane has since gone on to enjoy a lot of success with Masandawana where he won five league titles, the CAF Champions League, which he also claimed twice with Egyptian heavyweights Al Ahly.
Like Sono, ‘Jingles’ played abroad where he turned out for Qatari team Al Sadd, Greece outfit Ionikos and Belgian side Rita Berlaar. Sono, on the other hand, played alongside legendary Pele at New York Cosmos.
“I’ve been building other players to be like me and I am glad and proud about what Pitso has achieved. Football can open any door. The late Nelson Mandela said it, football is a unifier in the whole world,” said Sono.
“If you recall one time in Ivory Coast there was a war and the players, Didier Drogba and them went to the opposition to say ‘We have a game, can’t we stop fighting?’. They all stopped and we played.
“After the World Cup qualifier match, they fought again. So, football is the most powerful tool, you can do anything,” the Black Prince concluded.
Jomo Sono says education is important even if you are a footballer. #DrPitsoMosimane pic.twitter.com/ZEiZ1luisg
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) July 24, 2024
