Jomo Sono vs Steven Pienaar
South Africa against South Africa. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
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.
Steven Pienaar
South Africa · 2010–12 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 84
- Rank in South Africa
- #3 of 33
- Caps
- 61 · 3 goals
- Clubs
- AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Everton
Everton's thousandth Premier League goal was a Pienaar header against Tottenham on 9 December 2012, scored in the blue shirt he wore for 203 games while he and Leighton Baines ran the left touchline together. Two Eredivisie titles and a KNVB Cup came earlier at Ajax, Everton's Player of the Season followed in 2010, and he took 61 caps into two World Cups, wearing 10 at home in 2010. Career record: 61 caps and 3 goals for South Africa; club career at AFC Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Everton.
The verdict
The almanac puts Steven Pienaar ahead by 1 rating point, 84 against 83.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.