Jomo Sono, the owner, and coach of Jomo Cosmos, has explained why he would never spend in excess of R10 million just to buy a status.
Cosmos were relegated to the third tier – ABC Motsepe Foundation – at the end of the 2022/23 season.
The legendary Jomo Sono has resisted the urge to buy his way back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, insisting he would rather work his way back to the top.
‘Bra J’ expressed his confidence in his ability to guide the club back to the top without buying a status. “Yeah, it’s an easy route of buying a second division status for R10 million. It’s very, very easy,” he said.
“But have you got guarantees that you’ll stay [in the division] with that R10 million you’ve bought with?
“Number two, I believe in myself. I believe in my talent; I believe I can take this team back without buying any other team.
Sono rather invest in players than BUY a status
“There’s no guarantee if you buy a club for R12 million, you can get relegated, and it’s not only R12 million that you spend on the status. You still have to reinforce [the squad] and buy players to try to make sure your R12 million investment is safe.
“So, we are talking maybe about plus-minus R15 million because there’s a lot of add-ons of running a club as well. Those who can afford can do it.
“I believe I know this league now. I didn’t know it when I got relegated. It was a shock and we didn’t expect it. But now we are ready to try and fight [our way] back.”
Sono has a long and successful history in South African football, having played for Orlando Pirates, and New York Cosmos in the United States. He is also the founder of Jomo Cosmos, a club with a track record for churning out top talents over the years.
Ezenkosi finished second in the ABC last season, and he believes they are in a much better position to win promotion this season. He will be hoping to go one better this season and secure a return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Sono’s belief in his ability to take Cosmos back to the top flight is admirable. And it will be interesting to see if he can achieve his goal without buying another team.
Cosmos start their new season in the ABC Motsepe League Gauteng division this weekend, playing their home matches at Duduza Stadium.
COSMOS UNVEIL NEW SPONSOR
Their move to Duduza Stadium is part of an agreement with a new sponsor unveiled on Thursday in Johannesburg.
Jobe Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, gave Cosmos a shot in the arm. The two parties signed a two-year deal expected to boost the former PSL side in their quest for a quick comeback to the second tier.
He praised the Jobe Foundation saying what they were doing was “something incredible”.
“I think they are the leaders. They are also teaching our black business people and companies to support our own,” he emphasised.
“I would say black companies must also get involved with CSI [Corporate Social Investment]. This is part of CSI. So I think they should get involved and try and help.
“We’re not saying we want your millions. But the little you can contribute and add value to your community is very good.”
RELATED STORY: Pirates not signing the best players, suggests Ncikazi
