SEDIBENG.- If Jomo Cosmos gets relegated, this would mean that another South African football giant has bit the dust.
The club that is owned by one of the South African former soccer greats, Ephraim Matsilela “Jomo” Sono is currently languishing at the bottom of GladAfrica Champions. No doubt, if Jomo Cosmos gets relegated, it would mean the end of era for this legendary football club which was once a feeder to the South African football, especially for Bafana Bafana. As things stand Jomo Cosmos looks set to campaign in the ABC Motsepe League next seasons unless a miracle happens to save this club from going down.
It will be sad not only for South Africa but also for Vaal as the club made so many players’ talents known from this region. Some of the players who went on to make a name for themselves not only in South African football but also abroad playing for Jomo Cosmos are former Bafana Bafana Captain, Aaron “Mbazo” Mokoena and Augustine “Mthakathi” Makalakalane. Some of the players from Vaal who became household names in the South African football playing for Jomo Cosmos were Mabena “Love” Monnakgotla, Lucky Mhlathi, Avril Phali, Bongani Theletsane and Tshediso Tukane to mention but few. For the love of this region, Jomo Cosmos once played its First Division games here before being promoted to top flight football. This was Sono’s part to acknowledge the people of Vaal for the talent he got from this region. In the past this country has lost some of the legendary football clubs with a rich history such as African Wanderers, Welkom Real Hearts, Vaal Professionals, Vaal Reefs Stars and many others.
The teams never came back to the top flight football with some of them selling their PSL status. Wits University FC was one of the oldest clubs in the history of the South African football but it also sold its PSL status.
South African football history will never be written without mentioning the above mentioned football clubs because they are part of South African football heritage.
TOUCHLINE must however mention that much has been said and written about Jomo Sono being the Cosmos’ Coach/Boss/Driver and underpaying players but this is the man who contributed so much in the South African football. As a player, Jomo Sono was the most celebrated player ever this county has produced. It was not by mistake he was called the “Black Prince” in South African football because of his exceptional football skills playing for Orlando Pirates. The same team that his father, Scara Sono played for. There is so much to say and write about this man apart from his struggling club which has overshadowed his success as a player and later a coach/boss. Jomo Sono used to give local players a lifetime opportunity for the world to witness their talent. It will be a sad day for South African football if Jomo Cosmos is relegated to the lower league at the end of the season.
