Jomo Sono

Matsilela Ephraim Sono, affectionately known as Jomo Sono or "the Black Prince of South African Soccer” is a South African soccer club owner, coach and a former star soccer player.

Sono was born on 17 July 1955 in the suburb Orlando East in Soweto near Johannesburg. His soccer career had an unusual beginning.

During a match that he attended, one of the Orlando Pirates' regular players was absent and Sono was asked to stand in for him. He soon became well known for his all-round ability of dribbling and accurate passing skills.

After accomplishing everything that he set out to do at Orlando Pirates, Sono moved to America where he played for the New York Cosmos team. On return to South Africa after his soccer career ended in the USA, Jomo Sono purchased the Highlands Park Club in Johannesburg in 1982 and renamed it Jomo Cosmos in honour of his old team.

Under his ownership, the club achieved several successes. It won the National Soccer League in 1987, the Bobsave Super Bowl in 1990, the Coca-Cola Cup in 2002 and the Super Eight in 2003. Sono has taken a leading role in discovering and developing new football talent, especially from the rural areas in South Africa.

Sono is the longest-serving coach in the South African Premier League and serves on the board of the Premier Soccer League.

This information was provided by the South African 2010 Local Organising Committee.

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