Late Drama As Cosmos Sink Dikwena In Playoffs
Premier Soccer League Promotion/Relegation Play-Off Report: Jomo Cosmos v Platinum Stars 02 June 2018
By Soccer Laduma - Jun 02, 2018 04:59 PM
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Premier Soccer League Promotion/Relegation Play-Off
Result: Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Platinum Stars
Date: 02 June 2018
Venue: Vosloorus Stadium
Jomo Cosmos struck in the dying stages of the second half to earn themselves a 2-1 win over Platinum Stars in their final Promotion/Relegation Playoff tie.
Read: Leopards Promoted To Absa Premiership, Dikwena Relegated
The two sides were playing for pride as Black Leopards had already secured promotion in their final playoff game in midweek.
Lefa Hlongwane grabbed the lead for Ezenkosi in the 10th minute of this weekend's clash with a brilliant first-time side-footed strike in the box following a cross from the right wing, 1-0.
Letsie Koapeng almost found the reply for Dikwena in the 15th minute after leaping highest inside the box to power through a header but his effort sailed over the bar.
Jomo Sono’s charges were dominating possession but they were not creating enough chances in the last third.
However, Hlongwane nearly got his second goal of the match in the 28th minute but he hit the outside of the post with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.
Roger De Sa’s troops were awarded a penalty seven minutes before half-time but Koapeng missed from the penalty spot, with Ezenkosi goalkeeper King Ndlovu making the save.
Koapeng made up for his penalty miss a minute into the second stanza catching Ndlovu way off his line with a long-range shot that had no power but nevertheless beat the Ezenkosi goalkeeper, 1-1.
Dikwena were a much-improved side after the hour mark and put Cosmos under pressure as they pushed for a second goal.
However, Tebogo Tlolane netted in second-half stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win for Ezenkosi, who finished second in the playoff standings while Stars finish last with two points.
Here's how they lined up:
Cosmos: Ndlovu, Makobela, Lingwati, Lebahi, Tlabakwe, Mabula, Sibeko, Tlolane, Hlongwane, Manjoe, Sono Jnr.
Subs: Modiba, Rasilingwane, Nzimande, Obi, Laqwela, M. Ndlovu, K. Ndlovu.
Stars: Visser, Mere, Mlilo, Mthethwa, Molete, Mekoa, Baloyi, Gome, Senne, Koapeng, Rambuwane.
Subs: Hoffman, Monama, Phiri, Sithole, Matlakala, De Jongh.
