OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Friday 11.00PM.
JOMO Cosmos advanced to the quarter-finals of the Rothmans Cup on the away goals rule when they came from behind to equalise against Santos in a hard 1-1 draw played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Friday night.
Santos opened the score in the 65th minute when substitute Peter Philander passed to David Notoano who sent to Daniel Sekhoto. Sekhoto rounded advancing goalkeeper Silver Tshabalala to score.
In the 80th minute Tico-Tico Buchane levelled the scores after a quick build-up by the visitors. Santos often caught the visitors off-side and also had 12 corners to one by Cosmos.
Playing with a strong south-easter in the first half, Santos hovered in the Cosmos half but could not score. However, Cosmos were dangerous on the breakaway and in the 16th minute Brandon Prince brought off an excellent save from a piledriver by Dysi Mncwanga.
Cosmos goalkeeper Tshabalala brought off two excellent saves in the 19th minute from John Mbidzo and Musa Otieno-Ongoa.
Three corners in succession in the 32nd minute almost saw Santos take the lead as the second corner taken by Jerome McCarthy beat the goalkeeper but hit the upright and was cleared.
The second half was even, with both teams working a deciding goal. In the 70th minute Clinton Sephade’s free kick from 30m out was brilliantly saved by Prince.