JOMO COSMOS VS GOLDEN ARROWS | ABSA

Competition: Absa Premiership
Date: Sunday, 24 November 2009
Venue: Rand Stadium
Kick-off: 19h30

Golden Arrows bounced back onto the winning trail when they edged out bottom-of-the-log Jomo Cosmos 1-0 in a scrappy Premiership clash played at the Rand Stadium on Tuesday night.

The MTN8 champions thanks to a 32nd minute goal by Thanduyise Khuboni went home three points richer which helped made amends for their 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Moroka Swallows at the weekend.

But dark days are on the horizon for Ezenkosi who slumped to their 10th defeat in 17 league outings. Cosmos are rooted to the bottom with nine points and only one win in their league programme to date.

Cosmos again struggled where it matters most – in front of goals during a fast paced opening 45 minutes.

Arrows looked sharper when going forward and made the most of the chances created.

Cosmos have their captain and goalkeeper Avril Phali to thank for a timely save from Thamsanqa Gabuza. The veteran keeper came racing off his line in the fifth minute and managed to prevent Gabuza from getting a shot in on goal.

Cosmos goal scoring problems were underlined in the 22nd minute when Sekou Camara laid on a great ball for Diarra Gasoussou who did well to lose his marker but with only keeper Thulasizwe Khuzwayo to beat the Mali born midfielder ballooned his shot well over the crossbar from close range.

Four minutes later Khuzwayo showed his courage when he dived at Camara’s feet to stop the Cosmos striker getting his shot on target. Camara was in injured in the incident and was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Koena Mathopa.

Arrows took the lead in the 32nd minute when they punished the static Cosmos defence when Khuboni raced onto a through ball, drew Phali and coolly slotted home to put the Durban side 1-0 ahead.

Arrows Philani Shange blasted his 20 metre shot in the 36th minute over the Cosmos upright as the visitors went in search of a second goal.

Gabuza thought he had made it 2-0 in the 41st minute but his goal was ruled offside.

Cosmos had another narrow escape a minute from the break when Phali parried Bafo Biyela’s free kick and from the rebound defender Thapelo Tshilo managed to scoop Joseph Musonda’s shot off his goaline.

Phali showed his class early in the second half when he denied Njabulo Manqana twice within the space of four minutes. Phali first save came in the 47th minute and again the 30-year-old Ezenkosi skipper showed his agility by getting down low to push away another well struck Manqana drive in the 51stminute.

At the other end Cosmos substitute Siza Dlamini forced Khuzwayo to made a shot from his effort in 56th minute and in the 63rd minute the Swaziland international striker headed wide.

Phali was back into the thick of the action when he again did well to fist Gabuza’s shot over the crossbar in the 64th minute after Richard Henyekane set up Gabuza with a defence splitting through ball.

Cosmos defender Tshepo Moloto almost committed suicide when he was disposed by Henyekane in the 68th minute and from the loose ball it was Phali who once again came to the rescue smothering the ball as Gabuza was about to pounce.

Another brave piece of goalkeeping in the 90th minute from Khuzwayo denied Dlamini a goal. The Arrows keeper put his body on the line and threw himself at Dlamini’s feet to stop the Cosmos striker getting a chance of a late equaliser.

Jomo Cosmos (0) 0
Golden Arrows (1) 1 (Khuboni 34’)

Arrows: (4-4-2) Khuzwayo; Zwane, Musonda, Bilankulu, Tom; Shange (Mshengu 72’), Biyela, Khuboni, Manqana; Gabuza (Mashego 80’), R Henyekane

Cosmos: (4-5-1) Phali; Moloto, Tshilo, Samb, Oluwafemi (Modabi 73’); Hlalele, Mhlathe, Badenhorst, Diarra, Gaborone (Dlamini 65’); Camara (Mathopa 28’)