Sono on why Motaung deserves praise as he picks PSL title favourites

Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates legend Jomo Sono has spoken glowingly of Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung.

Motaung is widely respected for his role in the growth of South African football after he founded Kaizer Chiefs which turned out to be the most supported and one of the highly successful clubs in the country.

Sono has termed Motaung his biggest inspiration in football given his career trajectory that saw him start in South Africa before playing in America and then forming the Glamour Boys.

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“Kaizer Motaung,” Sono told KickOff when asked who inspires him in football. “The way he progressed in football, went to play overseas, and established a football club was inspiring. I always wished to achieve something similar.”

Motaung, who is now 81, started playing in the streets of Phefeni before his talents were noticed as a school teenager, going on to sign for Orlando Pirates when he was 16.

He would later move on to play in the United States of America where he turned out for Atlanta Chiefs and it was while there that he had a vision to change the face of South African football.

Sono and Motaung had contrasting football fortunes

Upon returning home in 1969, he decided to start a club that would identify and harness local talents and on January 7, 1970, Kaizer Chiefs was born. Under his guidance, the Glamour Boys have become the darling of South Africa and Africa, winning 13 league titles and over 40 cups.

Sono, meanwhile, also turned out for Pirates, before moving to the United States, where he played for New York Cosmos, Colorado Caribous as well as Atlanta Chiefs, and founded Jomo Cosmos upon his retirement.

However, unlike Kaizer Chiefs, Jomo Cosmos have never experienced success and now play in the third tier after stints in the PSL and the second division.

Meanwhile, Sono was also asked who he feels will win the PSL title this season and Chiefs were not among his picks.

“It's between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns,” he said.