Amakhosi Secure Draw With Cosmos

15 February 2012

ABSA Premiership

Teams: Jomo Cosmos v Kaizer Chiefs

Date: 15 February

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

Referee: Harry Leikitlane

Kaizer Chiefs kept their Absa Premiership title hopes alive as they came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Jomo Cosmos at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Wednesday.

With Chiefs dominating for much of the match, it was Mark Haskins who got the breakthrough 15 minutes before the final whistle, but with just seven minutes to play Lehlohonolo Majoro's goal ensured both teams went home with a point.

Amakhosi striker Bernard Parker got the first shot of the evening in the ninth minute when his looping header brought out a diving save from Avril Phali. It was all Chiefs in the early stages and five minutes later Phali was again called into action and tipped Parker's poke onto the crossbar.

The relentless pressure from Chiefs then resulted in a free-kick on the edge of the area and once again it took a diving Phali to deny Keegan Ritchie's curling spot kick.

Cosmos had a few chances of their own thanks to the talents of winger Matthew Rusike whose best chance came seven minutes before the break when he cut back inside the Chiefs defence and eked out a left-footed drive which forced Itumeleng Khune into a sharp save.

The second half started with further frustration for Chiefs who struggled to turn their territorial dominance into a goal and five minutes before the hour it was again Phali who denied Ritchie's free-kick which looked destined for the net.

With 20 minutes to play, Parker continued to show threatening signs of breaking the deadlock, but again Phali was on hand to deny the Amakhosi striker.

The match turned on its head shortly after, when Haskins found space down the right-hand side of the area and managed to squeeze the ball past Khune at the near post. The Chiefs skipper got a hand to it, but ultimately failed to keep it out much to the delight of Jomo Sono on the sidelines.

Just when it looked like Cosmos were going to score a valuable second win of the season they were denied when Lehlohonolo Majoro was put into space and easily curled the ball past a hapless Phali.

Cosmos: Avril Phali, Ofosu Appiah, Gladwin Shitolo, Elhadji Samb, Bamuza Sono, Mark Haskins, Tshpo Tomanyane, Matthew Rusike, Paballo Mngomezulu, Tshidiso Tukane (Tsietsi Mkwanazi 66'), Siyabonga Nontshinga (Alton Meiring 81').

Subs: Buti Khoza, Lebogang Pila, Phaladi Kobola, Thabo Mokgalushi

Chiefs: Itumeleng Khune, Lawrence Molekwane, Keegan Ritchie, Lincoln Zvasiya, Dominic Isaacs, Tinashe Nengomasha, Josta Dladla (Willard Katsande 79'), George Lebese (Lehlohonolo Majoro 58'), Mandla Masango, Bernard Parker, Stembiso Ngcobo

Subs: Arthur Bartman, Junaid Mashamaite, Dominic Mateba, Lucky Khune, Zhaimu Jambo.

Goals: Mark Haskins (Cosmos 75'), Lehlohonolo Majoro (Kaizer Chiefs 82')