Pele was better than Maradona, says South African legend Jomo Sono

The world stands divided on Pele and Maradona when it comes to picking the greatest footballer of all time. But for a man, who has seen both players from close quarters, the choice is crystal clear.

Pele was better than Maradona, says South African legend Jomo Sono

The world stands divided on Pele and Maradona when it comes to picking the greatest footballer of all time. But for a man, who has seen both players from close quarters, the choice is crystal clear.

Pele

Maradona

South Africa's greatest footballer of all time, Ephraim Matsilela Sono or Jomo Sono as he is known world-over, believes it's the Brazilian, who beats the Argentine to the crown. Sono would know, having rubbed shoulders with the legend way back in 1977.

Jomo Sono

"I'm lucky to be witness to both the Pele and Maradona eras, and I say this with authority that Pele is the greatest football player ever. I was part of the New York Cosmos football team, which Pele and even (Franz) Beckenbauer played for and we've shared some great moments together. Pele is greater simply because he was a better team player," Sono told MiD DAY here yesterday.

Sono, one of the chief architects in the successful conduct of the 2010 FIFA World Cup here in South Africa, explained the reasons for his choice. "Pele is not only a team player, but he played with both feet. And of course, he also had the added ability to be an individual player when needed," said Sono of the of three-time World Cup-winning Brazilian.

As for the 1986-World Cup-winning Argentine ace, Sono simply said: "Maradona was more individualistic and used just one foot (left)." In his hey days in fact, Sono missed out on an India trip with the Cosmos team after he was denied a visa.

"I regret not being able to travel to India back then but those were tough days for us Africans. That's why now with the successful organising of the World Cup, I'm glad that one of the most important things that SA has earned is respect from the Europeans," said Sono (56), who currently owns a football club, Jomo Cosmos here in SA.

Speaking of the current state of the game, Somo who is on FIFA's technical committee believed it's high time that technology was brought into the game. "There is a lot of money involved in football and too much at stake for a player or club. Human (referees/linesmen) error cannot be tolerated. FIFA must get things like goal-line technology as soon as possible," he signed off with a keen promise to grace Indian shores with his club in the near future.