The legendary Jomo Sono says he was surprised by Hugo Broos' decision to hand him his 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations medal.
On Wednesday at the SAFA house, the Bafana Bafana head coach stunned Sono who had paid a courtesy visit to President Danny Jordaan.
Bafana came back from the AFCON with a bronze medal after beating DR Congo 6-5 on penalties in the third-place play-offs.
READ | Broos 'in talks' with European club for new role
Sono had spells as Bafana's coach during the 1998 AFCON and also in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, while he also served as one of Clive Barker's advisors during the 1996 Africa Cup Of Nations that was won by Bafana.
"Yes Hugo Broos did give me his AFCON medal, and I must say I was very surprised to see him awarding me his medal," Sono tells KickOff.
"He told me it's for my contribution to football in this country. I was having a meeting with Danny [Jordaan].
"I only found out when I got there at the SAFA House that Broos also had a meeting with Danny.
"It seems Danny told him I'd be coming over for a meeting regarding football matters I cannot reveal.
"What Broos did it's a good gesture in the sense that my good work is being recognized by people from outside South Africa instead of my own people.
"It's people from outside who recognize my role in South African football, and not the ones from South Africa."
Sono refused to touch on the debacle between the not-so-good relationship that exists between the Belgian coach and Premier Soccer League clubs.
"You know, after being awarded such a gift, you don't want to get involved in politics because I don't know where it started, hence I don't want to get involved in it."
Broos, who will be turning 72 in April, has been quoted in different social media platforms saying he will quit the national team if the relationship between him and the Premier Soccer League clubs does not improve.
According to SAFA, Bafana Bafana will be participating in the FIFA Series International Friendlies pilot project to be held in Nigeria, which runs from 18 to 26 March 2024.
Broos is expected to announce his squad for the event in the coming days.
