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cosmos, wits lose ground

HUFFING AND PUFFING: Jomo Cosmos player Thabiso Hlalele, left, challenges Wits's Sifiso Vilakazi during their Absa Premiership match at the Vaal University of Technology Stadium yesterday. Pic: Antonio Muchave. 16/12/2009. © Sowetan.
HUFFING AND PUFFING: Jomo Cosmos player Thabiso Hlalele, left, challenges Wits's Sifiso Vilakazi during their Absa Premiership match at the Vaal University of Technology Stadium yesterday. Pic: Antonio Muchave. 16/12/2009. © Sowetan.

JOMO Cosmos and Bidvest Wits' woes worsened yesterday afternoon when the two sides drew 0-0 in an Absa Premiership match at the Vaal University of Technology.

The result kept Ezenkosi rooted to the foot of the table with 15 points from 22 matches.

Wits, who had a promising start to the season, were fourth from the bottom on 23 points from 23 matches before last night's other encounters.

The match was played under hot conditions and both teams had water breaks in each half. From the start of the game, Cosmos were on the offensive, passing the ball with confidence.

They created numerous scoring opportunities, but strikers Tshepo Moloto and Norman Smith seemed to have left their scoring boots at home.

Ezenkosi should have been a goal up in the fifth minute but Wits keeper Darren Keet superbly palmed a close-range shot from Awo Oluwafemi for a corner.

Cosmos dominated the match and had the Wits defence, marshalled by Michael Morton, under pressure. In the 27th minute, Wits defender Neil Winstanley was booked by referee Charl Theron for a foul against Gladwin Motolo, who was replaced later by Lucky Mhlathe.

Wits, too, had scoring chances but their leading goal-scorer Calvin Kadi and company lacked the finishing touch. In the 35th minute, Wits defender Patrick Phungwayo set up Thando Mngomeni but he shot wide with Cosmos keeper Avril Phadi at his mercy.

In a move to beef up the defence, Cosmos introduced Daniel Gaborone for Moloto in the 37th minute. Two minutes later, Keet denied Cosmos an opener when he brilliantly dived at the feet of striker Smith. Barely five minutes into the second stanza, an unmarked Smith missed a sitter with Keet off-balance. Wits regrouped. Huston Hills and Kadi penetrated the Cosmos rearguard but continued to fluff their scoring chances.

Cosmos's Keamogotse Wolff should have done better on two occasions when he had clear scoring chances in the Wits box. On the stroke of full time, Cosmos's Fanafuthi Bhembe watched in disbelief as his header went wide.

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