Jomo Cosmos F.C.

Jomo Cosmos are a South African professional association football club based in Johannesburg that plays in the National First Division. The club is owned and coached by South African football legend Jomo Sono.

Jomo Cosmos
Full nameJomo Cosmos Football Club
Nickname(s)Ezenkosi (Royals)
Founded29 January 1983 (1983-01-29)
GroundProfert Olën Park
Capacity22,000
ChairmanJomo Sono
CoachJomo Sono
LeagueNational First Division
2018–1913th

History

The club was founded on 29 January 1983, upon the remnants of the previously well-known and successful club Highlands Park, which Sono opted to buy when he ended his playing career in the United States. The club was named Dion Cosmos in its initial 1983 season, with the first part of the name representing the previous sponsor of Highlands Park and the second part being the fingerprint of Jomo Sono, who decided to name his newly bought club after his former NASL club, the New 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 the South Africa national team and abroad. Under Sono's ownership, the club went on to achieve several successes: winning the South African Premier Division title in 1987,[2] the Bob Save Super Bowl in 1990,[3][4] the Coca-Cola Cup in 2002 and 2005,[5] and the SAA Supa 8 in 2003.[6]

In 2008, Jomo Cosmos were relegated from top-flight football for the first time since 1993.[7] After one season in the National First Division, they returned to the PSL for the 2009–10 season, having won the Inland Stream and the promotion play-off against Carara 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 the 2010–11 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 the 2014-15 PSL play-off tournament.[12] Cosmos were relegated again in their first season back, after losing 3-1 to Maritzburg United on the final day, ending the season in last place.[13]

Honours
  • Telkom Knockout: 3
2002, 2003, 2005
  • Nedbank Cup: 1
1990
  • NSL: 1
1987
  • Second Division: 1
1994

Club records

Historical League results

Club officials/Technical team

First team squad

2019-20 season[14]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  RSA Buti Khoza
4 MF  RSA Bonginkosi Gumede
5 DF  CIV Ange Lebahi (captain)
6 MF  RSA Kagiso Ndlovu
7 MF  RSA Clint Fredericks
8 FW  NGA Chijioke Omeke
11 MF  RSA Wandile Sicholo
13 MF  RSA Kamohelo Molatlhegi
14 FW  NGA Franklin Ogbonna
15 MF  RSA Moses Mokasi
16 DF  RSA Bafana Tshawe
17 MF  RSA Tumi Ngwepe
19 FW  BEN Quentin Debouto
20 MF  RSA Mduduzi Sibeko
22 MF  RSA Matsilele Sono
23 MF  RSA Mpumelelo Zondi
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF  RSA Peter Molete
25 DF  NGA Stanley Umukoro
26 DF  RSA Sifiso Nkosi
27 MF  RSA Phakamani Mngadi
30 FW  NGA Chibuike Ohizu
31 MF  RSA Ongelethu Somtsewu
33 DF  RSA Thabo Makhele
34 MF  RSA Seun Ledwaba
35 GK  RSA Melusi Buthelezi
36 GK  RSA Hilary Nyathi
37 MF  RSA Gerald Ndlovu
38 MF  RSA Onke Moletshe
40 MF  RSA Thomas Kgope
42 DF  RSA Branden Matsila
43 MF  RSA Xhanti Mesana
45 MF  RSA Tebogo Mabula
49 MF  RSA Tumelo Matona

Shirt sponsor and kit manufacturer
  • Shirt sponsor: None
  • Kit manufacturer: Puma

References
  1. "South Africa 1983 NPSL". RSSF. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
  2. "South Africa 1987". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  3. "South Africa 1990". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  4. "Mzansi's greatest teams". Kickoff. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  5. ""I remember that day like it was yesterday," - Jomo Sono's Nostalgia".
  6. "South Africa 2003/04". RSSSF. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  7. "Cosmos condemned to relegation". News24. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  8. "Jomo Cosmos Back In The Premier Soccer League". Goal. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  9. "The game's over, Jomo". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  10. "Bay United beaten in penalty shootout". PressReader. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  11. "Jomo Cosmos relegated". News24. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  12. "Jomo Cosmos promoted to the PSL". News24. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  13. "Absa Premiership wrap: Maritzburg survive, Cosmos relegated, AmaTuks for play-offs". Goal. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  14. "Team Info 2019-2020". Jomo Cosmos. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
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