With Pitso Mosimane turning 60 on Friday, KickOff will, through the course of the day, run a series of articles celebrating the achievements and chronicling the football journey of one of the greatest coaches South African football has seen.
To that end, Jomo Sono has hailed Mosimane's hunger for success, humorously recalling one incident in which the former Bafana Bafana coach 'attacked' his mentor for defensive tactics during a match.
'Jingles', as he is lovingly known, was honoured by the University of Johannesburg with an honorary doctorate for his contribution to growing the sport of football both in the country and on the continent on Wednesday.
He rose to fame as a footballer himself, initially discovered by Sono and Screamer Tshabalala, and started his professional career at Jomo Cosmos, before enjoying stints with Mamelodi Sundowns and venturing abroad.
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Mosimane, though, really rose to the peak of his powers as a coach, leading SuperSport United to several league runners-up finishes and CAF Champions League football, before being lured by SAFA to work as Bafana Bafana assistant coach prior to being appointed as head coach.
Later on, at Mamelodi Sundowns, he also lifted his first Champions League title. The Kagiso-born mentor repeated the feat later with Africa's Club of the Century Al Ahly in Egypt, winning two club continental titles.
Speaking to journalists at the UJ Auckland Park ceremony where his product was honoured, Sono explained how he had always known that Mosimane would go far in his career.
"You know, I feel very proud, to be honest, like any father when your child graduates," said Bra J.
"I come a long way with him and people think because I spotted him, I groomed him, he played for Cosmos, they think we never had quarrels on the way. We did.
"I remember when we beat him in one of the cups in Pietersburg, he lost it. He attacked me. He said: 'What kind of football are you playing?' I said: 'I don't have money to buy players.' I had beaten him on penalties after we played 0-0.
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"I had parked the bus for 90 minutes and he was very upset with me. He attacked me and said: 'Why are you playing football like this?'. I said: 'I don't have money to buy players, so I have to defend.' And who won the trophy? It was me.
"I could see from that time that this kid would go far because he wanted to win. He wants to win at all times and that attitude of wanting to win has not changed. It has made him what he is today, and congratulations to him."