South African football legend Ephraim ‘Jomo’ Sono believes that Dr Pitso Mosimane should only entertain local offers if it’s a call from Bafana Bafana.
Mosimane was on Wednesday evening conferred an honorary doctorate for his exceptional contributions to football as one of South Africa’s most decorated coaches.
Sono, who previously held the senior team role as a caretaker coach, most notably when Bafana finished as runners-up at the 1998 AFCON in Burkina Faso and the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, has backed Mosimane to return abroad as it would be like taking a step backward coaching in Mzansi.
“I think he shouldn’t stay too long out of the game, ” Sono said at Mosimane’s graduation at University of Johannesburg.
“I think he should go beyond. He should not be coaching here [South Africa].
“He’s a top class coach. I think if he coaches here, he’ll be going one step down. I think he should be looking for a job outside the country.
“If Rulani [Mokwena] can get it, he can also get it because his CV is unbelievable.”
Jomo Sono flanked by current SAFA boss Danny Jordaan and Molefi Olifant during Pitso Mosimane’s Honorary Doctorate.
Asked if a Bafana return for the 68-year-old mentor should be in the pipeline in future ‘The Black Prince’ said: “He shouldn’t coach here. If he coaches here it should be the national team and that’s it.
“You know he can’t go one step down. He must just go to the national team.
“But, I think as you know Pitso was outspoken when he left Bafana Bafana, but we all bury our hatchet for the sake of the country we have to say, ‘Okay, let’s give him a chance somewhere?’
“Because I mean if you look at I think there must be a position for him with the kind of CV he’s got let’s be honest.
“So people like Pitso should go in there as advisors you know,” he added.
‘Jingles’ is back in South Africa after an ill-fated stint with former Saudi Pro League outfit Abha where he could not aid them to elite football survival.
