Cosmos cling to cup hopes

Jonty Mark

Jomo Cosmos will look to spring another surprise on Absa Premiership opposition when they take on Chippa United in a Nedbank Cup quarterfinal in Port Elizabeth this afternoon.

Ezenkosi are the last remaining lower-league side in the competition, and already stunned Bidvest Wits on penalties in the last-16.

Cosmos’ only victories in March and April, however, have come in the Nedbank Cup, as their campaign to gain promotion from the National First Division has stuttered, with two draws and two defeats, including a 2-0 midweek loss at struggling Magesi FC.

Cosmos have seven league games left and are 11th in the NFD, though all hope is far from lost as they are just six points off a playoff spot, and have a game in hand on all the sides above them.

Jomo Sono (above) will no doubt hope another top flight scalp today, apart from securing a semifinal spot, can also help boost his side’s confidence for the run-in.

Chippa United have not managed to kick on this season from an excellent 2015/16 Premiership campaign, where they came sixth, playing some exhilarating passing football under Dan Malesela.

Malesela’s side are 12th in the table – just three points ahead of bottom side Baroka FC. The Chilli Boys were dealt a further blow this week with the news that captain Buyani Sali is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg. The midfielder suffered the injury in Chippa’s 1-0 league loss to Kaizer Chiefs last weekend.

Cavin Johnson’s Platinum Stars travel to KwaZulu-Natal to take on Clinton Larsen’s Golden Arrows. Dikwena have won both league meetings this season, 1-0 away and 2-0 at home.