33·Legends

Jomo Sono vs Lucas Radebe

South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.

JS

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.

vs
LR

Lucas Radebe

South Africa · 1996–2002 · CB

Almanac rating
87
Rank in South Africa
#2 of 33
Caps
70 · 2 goals
Clubs
Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds United
Honours
Hall of Fame 2005

When Nelson Mandela came to Leeds in April 2001 to collect the freedom of the city, he stopped in front of Radebe, said "Ah, Mthimkhulu", then turned to the crowd and called him his hero. He won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, captained South Africa at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups over 70 caps, wore the Leeds armband for seven years, and took FIFA's Fair Play Award in 2000. Career record: 70 caps and 2 goals for South Africa; club career at Kaizer Chiefs, Leeds United; honours include Hall of Fame 2005.

The verdict

The almanac puts Lucas Radebe ahead by 4 rating points, 87 against 83.

Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.

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