Jomo Cosmos hold Black Leopards

Lifa Hlongwane of Jomo Cosmos is challenged by Tsheamo Mashoene of Black Leopards during the National First Division Promotion Playoffs match between Jomo Cosmos and Black Leopards on 20 May 2018 at Vosloorus Stadium Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Sunday May 20, 2018. 17:39

Jomo Cosmos held Black Leopards to a 2-2 draw in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotional/relegation play-offs match at the Vosloorus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, Ezenkosi climbed up to second place on the play-offs standings, while Lidoda Duvha remained at the top of the table.

Leopards got off to a perfect start as they broke the deadlock just 12 minutes into encounter through their leading marksman Mwape Musonda.

The Zambia international fired past Cosmos goalkeeper Kgosietsile Ndlovu with a good finish to make it 1-0 to Leopards.

However, Leopards keeper Rotshidzwa Muleka scored an own when he failed to handle a game deflected shot making it 1-1 in the 17th minute.

The two teams then continued to attack each other in search of more goals, but their struggled to create clear cut chances.

The score was 1-1 at the interval between Cosmos and Leopards following an evenly contested first-half.

Leopards dominated the opening stages of the second-half and they deservedly took the lead again and it was their star striker Musonda, who scored.

The marksman found some space outside the Cosmos box and he unleashed a low shot which beat keeper Kgosietsile Ndlovu to make it 2-1 to the visitors just after the hour-mark.

Cosmos head coach Jomo Sono reacted by introducing exciting attacker Tebogo Tlolane in the 66th minute as the hosts searched for another equalizing goal.

However, the Leopards defence which was led by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) defender Jean Munganga were able to contain Cosmos in the closing stages of the game.

However, Cosmos did grab a late equalizer when Thato Lingwati headed home in stoppage time and ultimately, the two teams drew 2-2 on the day.

Cosmos (1) 2 (Muleka 17’, Lingwati 90’+2)

Leopards (1) 2 (Musonda 12’, 62’)

Cosmos: K.Ndlovu, Laqwela, Lingwati, Lebahi, Gebhardt, Haoseb, Sibeko, Makobela (Obi 66’), Mabula (Tlolane 70’), Hlongwane (Mulenga 66’), Mgunda.

Leopards: Muleka, Munyai, Munganga, Masia, Mashoene, Mhlongo (Ndou 70’), Nange, Tshepe (Mahangwahaya 82’), Nene, Maphangule (X.Ndlovu 75’), Musonda.