 | |||
| Full name | Jomo Cosmos Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Ezenkosi (Royals) | ||
| Founded | 29 January 1983; 42 years ago (1983-01-29) | ||
| Ground | Profert Olën Park | ||
| Capacity | 22,000 | ||
| Chairman | Jomo Sono | ||
| Coach | Jomo Sono | ||
| League | ABC Motsepe League | ||
| 2024–25 | 14th | ||
Jomo Cosmos is aSouth Africansoccer club based inJohannesburg that plays in theABC Motsepe League. The club is owned and coached by South African football legendJomo Sono.
At the end of the2021–22 National First Division season, the club was relegated to the third tier of football in South Africa for the first time.
The club was founded on 29 January 1983, upon the remnants of the previously well-known and successful clubHighlands Park, which Sono opted to buy when he ended his playing career in theUnited States. The club was named Dion Cosmos in its initial1983 season, with the first part of the name representing the previous sponsor ofHighlands Park and the second part being the fingerprint of Jomo Sono, who decided to name his newly bought club after his formerNASL club, theNew York Cosmos. Since 1984, the name of the club has been Jomo Cosmos.[1]
Sono's policy for development has always been to recognise and build upon raw talent. Sono's team accentuated and developed a strong youth policy and through the years has gained a reputation for discovering and developing some of the finest talent to have played in the league, for theSouth Africa national team and abroad. Under Sono's ownership, the club went on to achieve several successes: winning theSouth African Premier Division title in 1987,[2] theBob Save Super Bowl in 1990,[3][4] theCoca-Cola Cup in 2002 and 2005,[5] and theSAA Supa 8 in2003.[6]
In 2008, Jomo Cosmos were relegated from top-flight football for the first time since 1993.[7] After one season in theNational First Division, they returned to the PSL for the2009–10 season, having won the Inland Stream and the promotion play-off againstCarara Kicks.[8] They were immediately relegated again, leading several to question Sono's future as the club's manager.[9] Sono stayed, and led the club to the2010–11 National First Division title and promotion.[10] They were yet again relegated in their first season back, finishing in last place.[11] They would stay in the second tier for three seasons, before winning promotion through the2014-15 PSL play-off tournament.[12] Cosmos were relegated again in theirfirst season back, after losing 3–1 toMaritzburg United on the final day, ending the season in last place.[13]
Andrew Rabutla 229
Manuel Bucuane 88Manuel BucuaneHelman Mkhalele (1993) both 46Philemon Masinga 27 (1991)Jomo SonoBamuza SonoJomo Sono
Siza Dlamini &Gerald Mtshali
Mpangi Merikani &Avril Phali
