Cosmos pick up a point against Downs

Mamelodi Sundowns wasted an abundance of opportunities as they were held to a goalless draw by Jomo Cosmos at Loftus Versveld on Sunday afternoon in an Absa Premiership match.

After a very quiet first ten minutes, Teko Modise hit long range shot from 30 yards out which Cosmos ‘keeper Avril Phali took for granted, but the ball came off the bar.

Sundowns were looking very threatening in the match, but were not getting clear-cut chances. They were missing their suspended regular left back Punch Masenamela, who provides an extra attacking option.

In the 26th minute, Modise than had another long range shot from the same distance as his previous effort but his curling shot flew over the bar.

By the half hour mark Cosmos’ Mark Haskins skilfully beat off two Sundowns players as he found his way into the box only to be sandwiched by the defenders as he was fouled, but the referee ignored his penalty appeal.

Four minutes later, Sundowns were let off the hook when Siyabonga Nontshinga and Siyabonga Nhlapho combined well to tee up Haskins, who had the Downs defence at his mercy but could only shoot straight at Downs’ glove-man Wayne Sandilands.

Four minutes from time, Phali produced the best save of the match so far when he denied Lebogang Mokoena. The former Orlando Pirates midfielder received a back heel from Katlego Mphela in six-yard area but Phali acrobatically flipped the goal bound ball over.

The sides went into the break deadlocked at 0-0. Cosmos were very lucky to go into the break on level terms due to the Brazilians failing to convert their numerous opportunities.

Early in the second half Themba Zwane freed himself at the edge of the penalty box, and with the space he found he saw a beautiful right foot curler tipped away for a corner by Phali.

In the 64th minute, Anthony Laffor sent a cross from the right flank but Mphela missed a glorious chance from six yards out when he hit the ball over the bar. That miss resulted in the Downs supporters asking for his substitution, which the coach obliged.

In the 70th minute Nyasha Mushekwi, who had replaced Mphela, missed by inches when he headed a cross coming from the left side.

Mushekwi and Laffor, who had come on as substitutes, were giving Downs the much-needed energy up front.

And the same combination was at it again four minutes later when Laffor sent in a quality cross from the right wing but Mushekwi missed a sitter of a header when he was unmarked and could only head wide.

With three minutes to go substitute Hlompho Kekana nearly won it for the Brazilians when his long range 35-yard shot missed the top corner of the net.

In the dying minutes, Sundowns threw wave after wave at Cosmos but Ezenkosi held on for a valuable draw.

Mamelodi Sundowns 0

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