Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

Jomo Cosmos' assistant coach Collin Tlemo believes that his team wanted the three points more than Ajax Cape Town did.

Cosmos walloped the Urban Warriors 3-0 at Tembisa's Mehlareng Stadium on Saturday, and while Tlemo commended his charges' display, he also was aware that most of Ertugral's first-choice players did not start the game.

Ajax have a date with Castle Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns in the Absa Cup final in two weeks' time, and six key players, including Clifford Ngobeni and goalkeeper Hans Vonk, did not feature in Saturday's league tie.

"We obviously want to do whatever we can to secure a top eight spot for ourselves. These are desperate times, and you should know that we have not featured in the Super 8 for the last two years. This is our chance to do it and we don't want to leave it to chance," Tlemo said.

Ezenkosi played their hearts out, getting their three goals through Sydney Plaatjies and Innocent Ntsume in the first half and Davies Mwape's strike in the 53rd minute.

Ajax brought the best out of Cosmos, with Dikgang Mabalane and Calvin Kadi constant thorns in the Cape team's side.

Ertugral was graceful in defeat, applauding Cosmos' motivated and structured play.

"That was a great win for them, and although I'm not upset with us losing, I do not like the way we just conceded the three goals," he said.

Cosmos took full advantage of Nazeer Allie's absence.