Team bloom at championships

Jomo Cosmos were crowned champions of the inaugural Mpumalanga Transversal Cup (MTC).
Ezenkosi, as Cosmos are known, beat University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) 1-0 in the final that took place at KaNyamazane Stadium on Sunday.
Substitute Amara Kone struck a last-minute goal and fired Cosmos to victory, over their cross-town rivals. The young Ivorian striker, recently promoted from the Cosmos Academy, finished off a blistering move by right flank Xola Mosiea in the 90th minute and handed Ezenkosi their first trophy in years. This boosted team confidence ahead of this month’s anticipated National First Division (NFD) campaign kick-off.
Both Cosmos and AmaTuks, which were relegated from the Absa Premiership last season, advanced into the final after walloping Mpumalanga sides, Mbombela United and Acornbush United, in their semi-final matches. AmaTuks beat Mbombela 4-2 in the lottery penalty shoot-out in the first semi-final. The match had ended deadlocked at one all in regulation time.
AmaTuks were first to score through Thabo Moseki in the 71st minute. United striker Siyabonga Madikane equalised for the home side in the 88th minute. AmaTuks went on to win the match 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out with Tristyn Coetzee, for AmaTuks, becoming the hero of the day after saving two spot-kicks.
Ezenkosi advance into the final after beating the hard-fighting Acornbush 2-1. A brace in each half from Nkanyiso Madonsela, sealed the game for Cosmos as they eventually won 2-1 after leading 2-0 at one stage in the second half.
However, the highlight was the sending off of Mxolisi Macuphu for dissent. His dismissal had an instant effect on the Cosmos midfield as Acornbush took advantage and pulled one back after three minutes through substitute Bojol Maojoe.
Then Acornbush pressed forward in search of an equaliser, but the experienced backline of goalkeeper Williams Okpara Jr – the son of former goalkeeper, Williams Okpara – Thato Lingwati, Frederic Nsabiyumva, Ange Lebahi and Ananias Gebhardt, held on to claim victory.
Cosmos coach and owner, Jomo Sono said winning the MTC was a morale booster for his team ahead of the start of the NFD 2016/17 season. “Following our demotion to the NFD, the spirit was down. I got rid of all the players who do not fit in anymore and I promoted youngsters from my development team. I think those who I have assembled are ready to compete,” said Sono.
Sono said the MTC also gave his side a good opportunity to prepare before the start of the season.
“Both Mbombela and AmaTuks will be competing in the NFD. So the tournament served as dress rehearsal just ahead of the start of the season,” he added.