Benni McCarthy vs Jomo Sono
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Benni McCarthy
South Africa · 1998–2004 · ST
- Almanac rating
- 88
- Rank in South Africa
- #1 of 33
- Caps
- 79 · 31 goals
- Clubs
- Cape Town Spurs, RC Celta de Vigo, Blackburn Rovers
Bobo-Dioulasso, 16 February 1998: McCarthy scored in the 8th, 11th, 19th and 21st minutes against Namibia, four goals before the half hour at the Africa Cup of Nations. He left Burkina Faso as top scorer and player of the tournament, then became the only South African to win the Champions League, with Porto in 2004, adding two Portuguese titles, the 2003/04 Golden Boot, an Eredivisie title at Ajax and a national record of 31 goals. Career record: 79 caps and 31 goals for South Africa; club career at Cape Town Spurs, RC Celta de Vigo, Blackburn Rovers.
Jomo Sono
South Africa · 1974–87 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 83
- Rank in South Africa
- #6 of 33
- Clubs
- Colorado Caribous, Atlanta Chiefs, Toronto Blizzard
A Pirates supporter renamed the teenager Jomo, burning spear, after Kenyatta, and by 1977 he had crossed to the New York Cosmos to share a dressing room with Pelé, Beckenbauer and Carlos Alberto. He drove Orlando Pirates' 1974 sweep of the league, the Top 8 Cup, the Life Cup and the Champion of Champions trophy, then bought Highlands Park in 1982 as the first Black owner of a white club and made it Jomo Cosmos, national champions in 1987. Career record: club career at Colorado Caribous, Atlanta Chiefs, Toronto Blizzard.
The verdict
The almanac puts Benni McCarthy ahead by 5 rating points, 88 against 83.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.