Draw leaves playoffs wide open

THATO Lingwati’s glancing header in stoppage time denied Black Leopards another win in the promotion playoffs, giving his Jomo Cosmos side a valuable point in the 2-2 stalemate yesterday.

The result leaves the race in the threeteam round-robin contest wide open.

Judging by yesterday’s performance from both clubs, Platinum Stars will have to dig deeper if they are really to challenge Leopards and Cosmos for the remaining berth in the Premiership slot for the upcoming season.

Many teams in the just-concluded National First Division season struggled against Cosmos at the Vosloorus Stadium in Vosloorus as Ezenkosi lost only one match at their home ground, but Leopards pushed the Cosmos men to the limit yesterday.

The visitors showed their intentions as early as the 12th minute when Mwape Musonda scored the opener.

For the better part of the first half Leopards dictated terms, but a horrendous howler by their goalkeeper, Rotshidzwa Muleka, brought Ezenkosi back to the match. Muleka failed to clear the ball, allowing in Ismael Mgunda’s weak shot.

Even in the second half it was Leopards who were in control.

Their dominance paid off in the 61st minute when Musonda completed his brace after bulldozing his way through the Cosmos defence to slot home. But it was not meant to be for Leopards. Cosmos threw everything at them and eventually got the goal courtesy of their captain, Lingwati, who nodded home the equaliser.

Next up, Cosmos will meet Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday.