Jomo Sono criticises refereeing standards in ABC Motsepe League

Jomo Cosmos chairman Ephraim ‘Jomo’ Sono has questioned the standard of refereeing in the ABC Motsepe League, claiming a quarter of officials are “just rubbish”.

Sono, speaking to Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000, said the quality of officiating varied significantly in South Africa’s third tier.

He praised half of the referees in the competition but said the remaining officials had made it difficult for his club to succeed.

“It’s very tough in the ABC Motsepe League,” Sono said on Radio 2000.

“Fifty percent of the referees are good. Twenty-five percent are fair and the other twenty-five percent is just rubbish.

“Those ones you can see when the game starts that today you won’t win.”

Sono’s comments come during a difficult period for Jomo Cosmos, who were relegated to amateur football at the end of the 2021/22 National First Division season for the first time.

The club have not been able to return to top-flight football since being relegated in 2008. There have also been numerous reports over several years alleging match-fixing in the ABC Motsepe League.

The former Bafana Bafana coach said his position within the Motsepe Foundation had given him an opportunity to witness problems affecting amateur football.

“I think God put me in the Motsepe Foundation for a reason, so that I can see the rot that’s happening,” he said.

“All the amateur players are not protected.

“The Chairmen of the clubs are not protected. The PSL clubs take advantage of us and come and take our players for free.”

Despite Cosmos’ decline in recent years, the club have a substantial record of success.

They won the Coca-Cola Cup in the 2002/03 and 2005/06 seasons, and lifted the SAA Top 8 trophy in 2003/04.

Cosmos also won the league title in the 1986/87 season, when the competition was known as the NPSL.

Sono’s side are now competing in the ABC Motsepe League after their relegation from the second tier, with the club’s long-term return to professional football remaining a significant challenge.