Cloud hanging over Cosmos
CLUB DIDN’T HONOUR GAME AGAINST ALL STARS Sono’s men also in danger of losing their point against Bucks.
Jomo Cosmos’ National First Division campaign has suffered a setback – the team have been charged by the Premier Soccer League on two counts of contravening the rules.
The PSL announced yesterday that Ezenkosi are set for a date with the league’s disciplinary committee on May 4.
“Jomo Cosmos FC has been charged for their failure to honour their NFD fixture against Cape Town All Stars FC which had been scheduled for 31 March, 2017,” read the PSL statement.
It further revealed that Mthatha Bucks had also lodged a complaint against Jomo Sono’s team for failing to use Under-23 players as stipulated in Rule 35.2 of the National Soccer League handbook.
“Pursuant to a protest lodged by Mthatha Bucks FC, the PSL charged Jomo Cosmos with contravening Rule 35.2 of the NSL handbook following their failure to have a minimum five Under-23 players present ‘at all times’ during their National First Division fixture against Mthatha Bucks on 11 February, 2017,” the statement further revealed.
The match ended in a goalless draw, and if Cosmos are found guilty they could be docked the point they earned.
The news of Cosmos’ date with the PSL’s DC came as the team were preparing for a crucial league match against title-chasing Black Leopards set for Tsakane Stadium at 3pm this afternoon.
Ezenkosi have had an excellent run in the Nedbank Cup which saw them go as far as the quarterfinals before they were knocked out by Chippa United last weekend, but it may have come at a heavy cost as the team have slipped to 11th in the league.
Cosmos have collected just one point from their last three matches, but could still mount a late challenge for a promotion playoffs position should they win their remaining matches. They trail leaders Thanda Royal Zulu by 10 points.
But in Lidoda Duvha they face a team who have been doing well, despite a recent slump in form in the last two matches where they picked up just one point following a defeat and a draw against Real Kings and Amabhubesi.
Magesi, meanwhile, will be looking for a big upset when they visit Thanda in Richards Bay on Sunday with the Limpopo side having found their rhythm in recent games. The Polokwane-based team have already claimed one big scalp when they beat Cosmos 2-0 in their last match – a win that saw them jump above Santos in the relegation zone and gave them a better chance of escaping the dreaded axe.