Cosmos win seven goal thriller

Jomo Cosmos hit the back of the net four times in the first half to set up a fantastic 4-3 win against Chippa United at Olën Park today.
Charlton Mashumba, Brice Aka, Peintjie Zulu and Sipho Mngomezulu scored the goals for Cosmos while Rhulani Manzini, Aristide Bance and William Twala put their names on the scoresheet for Chippa.
Although Chippa United scored two unanswered goals in the second half, the home team prevailed with their loud and enthusiastic fans cheering them on.
Cosmos fans were delighted at half time with their side taking a comfortable 4-1 lead only for Chippa to show great fight in the second half. Cosmos’ defence will not be happy to allow three goals and should have won by a bigger margin.
The man of the match, Charlton Mashumba lived up to his growing reputation in the first half when he scored the opener after 20 minutes. It was a well taken shot from the Zimbabwean which underlined his class.

Shortly afterwards Cosmos were awarded a penalty much to the jubilation of one van who celebrated in the same vein of coach Jomo Sono with fists pumping. Aka slotted the penalty with ease to give Ezenkosi a 2-0 lead. This soon turned into three when Peintjie Zulu hit a left foot shot past keeper, Daniel Akpeyi.
It was now raining goals after a long drought for Cosmos in the PSL this season. This is the first time that Cosmos had been able to score more than two goals in a match this season. Not to be outdone Chippa pulled one back through Manzini after a goalmouth scramble in the box. Cosmos were not done yet as Mngomezulu put his name of the fans’ lips with the team’s fourth goal before half time.
Chippa’s coach, Roger Sikhakhane, had to make a few changes at half time and this seemed to work when Aristide Bance scored their second goal after 71 minutes. It was still a mountain to climb but the men from Port Elizabeth kept on coming and added a third five minutes before the end of the match through striker William Twala.
It was too little too late for Sikhakhane as Sono took three points from the encounter.
“It was about time that we scored some goals,” said a happy Sono post match.
Sikhakhane was rueful and confessed that his side chased the game after Cosmos scored three early goals without a reply.
“We were bad in the first half that is where we lost the game. We just had too much to do,” he added.
Mashumba also expressed his delight after the win when he received his man of the match award.
“I am an asset to this team and we are doing well now in this difficult league, We are now finally getting it right.”

Statistics: (Note: Cosmos in bold)

Jomo Cosmos – Chippa United

Shots at goal: 7 -14

Shots on target: 5 -5

Offsides: 3-1

Corners: 5-12

Fouls: 7-14

Yellow Cards: 2-2

Possession: 51-49%