Jomo Sono: Pele visited my house and couldn’t return to his hotel
Jomo Sono has recalled Pele’s visit to the South African football legend’s house on the sidelines of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“In 2010, he came to the country for the FIFA World Cup and one night, he came to my house and refused to go back to the hotel,” Sono told TimesLive.
Pele felt obliged to visit Sono as the two were once team-mates at the American side, New York Cosmos, in the 1970s.
The two men reminisced about their playing days the entire night. Pele ended up sleeping over at Sono’s house, according to TimesLive.
I SPOKE ABOUT FOOTBALL WITH PELE THE ENTIRE NIGHT
“That night, we could not sleep. We spoke about football the whole night and also reminisced about the good old days. It was unbelievable.”
The Jomo Cosmos owner also spoke glowing about the Brazilian football legend’s temperament.
“It is difficult to describe the man. He is my mentor, role model, friend and teammate,” Sono is quoted as saying.
“We have known each other for a very long time, and we shared a lot of good memories.”
The Orlando Pirates great actually named his South African club after the American side he played for alongside Pele.
SONO ON THE BEST HUG EVER FROM PELE
Sono shared also his experience of rubbing shoulders with Pele on the field of play.
“One of the memories that will always linger in my mind was when we played against Seattle Sounders, and we beat them 3-2 in the final,” Sono said.
“After winning that match and we got the trophy, he gave me the strongest hug I have ever had.”
“It was an unbelievable hug. There I was from Africa, and it was my dream just to see this man, but God made it possible for me to play with him and share an emotional hug with him,” he added.
New York Cosmos coaxed Pele out of retirement in 1975 and played for them for two years.
Pele succumbed to cancer at the age of 82 on Thursday in Brazil. His death has touched the football world. Pele is the only footballer to have won three FIFA World Cup titles.
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