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According to his mentor Jomo Sono, one of coach Pitso Mosimane’s strengths is his winning mentality, which has led him to receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg.
It was Sono, and the late Stanley “Screamer” Tshabalala, who discovered a young Mosimane playing in the dusty grounds of Soweto in the mid-1980s and recruited him to Jomo Cosmos.
Sono, who also holds honorary doctorates from the University of London and University of Dubai, says he’s proud to see his “son” get an honorary doctorate in Philosophy from UJ.
"I feel very proud, to be honest, like any father when your child graduates. I come a long way with [Mosimane], and people think, because I spotted and groomed him, and he played for Cosmos, we never had quarrels or anything, we did have," said Sono.
"I remember when we been beat him in one of the cups in Pietersburg (now Polokwane), he lost it and attacked me, saying what kind of football are we playing – I said, I don't have money to buy players.
"I beat him on penalties after we played to a 0-0 [draw], and I parked the bus for 90 minutes, and he was very upset with me, attacking me, and said, 'Why do you play football like this?' I said, 'I don't have money to buy players so I have to defend.'
"Who won the trophy? It was me. And I could see from that time that this kid is going to go far because he wants to win, he wanted to win at all times. That attitude of wanting to win hasn't changed and has made him what he is today. Congratulations to him."
After leaving African football giants Al Ahly, Mosimane spent more time coaching in the Gulf region, where he led clubs in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Currently out of a job, since leaving Abha FC in May, Sono advises the 59-year-old to consider continuing his career in that region.
"He shouldn't stay too long out of the game, and I think he should not be coaching here [in South Africa]. He's a top class coach, and if he coaches here, he'll be going one step down," he added.
"I think he should be looking for a job outside the country. If Rulani can get it, he can also get it because his CV is unbelievable."
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