Jomo Sono brings innovation embraced by Zwane, Shalulile  |

The legendary Jomo Sono has brought a ground-breaking innovation that the Mamelodi Sundowns duo of Peter Shalulile and Themba Zwane have embraced.

Sono this week introduced a smart wearable soccer tracker – Playermaker – designed for players aiming to improve their performance by analysing their stats. 

ZWANE, SHALULILE EMBRACE GAME-CHANGING SOLUTION

The Sundowns stars have become the first professional local footballers to use the game-changing solution. 

The biggest thing Playermaker does is to measure the foot-to-ball interaction data of their game using smart motion sensors attached directly to a player’s boots. It straps around the user’s foot and tracks soccer-specific metrics throughout a training session or game.

“Themba Zwane and Peter Shalulile are already using it. I am a partner for Playermaker, and I introduced it to them,” Sono told FARPost.

The device’s sensors are connected to the Playermaker App on a smartphone or device, and the user can review their stats.

According to Sono, Playermaker will pick everything from contact with the ball to tempo and types of possession. Among other things, it also records distance covered, sprint distance, work rate, top speed, acceleration, possession and ball releases. The technology can detect the weakest and dominant foot. 

Sono said the technology was a game-changer for any footballer or coach wanting to set goals they want to monitor on a day-to-day basis.

JOMO SONO EAGER TO HELP

“I’m very passionate about development, and when I saw this device, I said it can only help develop young players. Academies, schools and so forth can use it. 

“So I decided to partner with Playmaker and brought it to South Africa. Big teams like Manchester City and Rangers [are using it], and FIFA approved it. Why can’t we get it to South Africa to help our people?

“It’s important because the elite one is for individuals. It’s easy for a parent to monitor the progress of their child. 

“Every night when the child comes from training, you can monitor if the child is doing well. Sometimes you find a coach who doesn’t want to play your son, and you’re worried, and sometimes coaches need special favours to play your son.

“If you have this device, there is no coach who can tell you lies about your child’s progress.”

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