It’s Dr Sono, the great ‘Black Prince’

FORMER South Africa World Cup coach Jomo Sono is to be conferred honorary doctorates by two leading universities, the University of London and the University of Dubai, on Thursday.

The groundbreaking event, scheduled for Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, is in recognition of Sono’s achievements as a renowned former soccer player, businessman, soccer coach and tactician.

Sono, arguably the best soccer export from the shores of South Africa, enjoyed a glittering career that spanned almost two decades. His impressive resume includes playing professional football for Orlando Pirates where he remains a legend, as well as memorable stints overseas at Sporting Lis- bon and later in America for the (now defunct) New York Cosmos, where he starred alongside Brazilian legend Pele and German stalwart Franz Beckenbauer.

Sono owns and manages Jomo Cosmos FC and is currently the longest-serving coach in South African domestic football.

After his soccer career in the US ended, Sono returned to South Africa, where he purchased the Highlands Park club in Joburg in 1982, renaming it Jomo Cosmos in honour of his former team.

Under his ownership, the club went on to achieve several successes, winning the National Soccer League in 1987, the Bobsave Super Bowl in 1990, the Cola-Cola Cup in 2002 and 2005, and the Super Eight trophy in 2003.

Sono has also taken a leading role in discovering and developing new football talent. Some of the players whom Sono recruited went on to play for the SA national team and European clubs. The list includes Philemon Masinga, Thomas Madigage, Helman Mkhalele, Sizwe Motaung, Mark Fish, Andrew Rabutla, and Nkosinathi Nhleko. – ANA