Cosmos rise to the occasion to beat favourites Baroka
Jomo Cosmos FC (Ezenkosi) defeated Baroka FC (Bakgaga) 1-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup on January 29 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Jomo Cosmos FC (Ezenkosi) defeated Baroka FC (Bakgaga) 1-0 to progress to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup on January 29 at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Ezenkosi became the sixth side from the National First Division (NFD) to qualify for the last 16 stages.
The odds favoured Bakgaga, especially after recently pulling of some giant-killing performances including winning the Telkom Knockout against Orlando Pirates recently.
In their march to the finals of the Telkom Knockout, Baroka FC defeated Mamelodi Sundowns in the quarter finals, Bidvest Wits in the semi-final and Orlandp Pirates in the finals, to be crowned champions.
Jomo Sono, the owner and the coach of Cosmos, said few people gave his side a chance to defeat Bakgaga . Baroka ply their trade in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
However, Sono said the only way Ezenkosi would win the game was to take the game to their opponents and to search for an early goal.
“Our game plan was to defend our goals and allow them to use all their strength to attack us in numbers. They did attack from all sides but we had nothing to worry about because our strength in defending our goals is that we have height at the back, which is their weakness on their attacking players. They attacked us but they failed to create goal scoring opportunities,” said the Black Prince of South African football.
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He said his boys executed the game plan well.
Ezenkosi’s strategy paid off as their striker Chibuike Ohize did well to maintain composure before setting up an unmarked Inky Masuku for an early 1-0 lead.
Cosmos captain Ange Lebahi should have put his team ahead within the opening 10 minutes, but his point blank header was brilliantly saved on the goal line by Elvis Chipezeze.
Ezenkosi’s goal minder, Mwenya Chibwe, was the standout performer as he produced several stunning saves to deny Bakgaga scoring opportunities in a tense second half period which saw the visitors surviving a series of relentless attacks.
Ezenkosi will face TS Galaxy in last 16 of the competition following the draw on Thursday night.
Dates and venues of games are yet to be announced.
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