/ 23 February 2004

Cosmos hold Chiefs to a draw

Mmbatho-Kaizer Chiefs title hopes suffered a minor hiccup when Jomo Cosmos forced a spirited second half fightback to snatch a 1-1 draw against the title chasing Amakhosi in a hard fought Castle Premiership clash at the Mmbatho stadium on Sunday. There was no score at halftime.

Chiefs were well on top in the first half but could not find the net. Chiefs took the initiative from the restart and looked the more comfortable side. Jabu Pule was unlucky when his rocket flew over the Cosmos cross bar after 16 minutes.

The Cosmos goalkeeper Avril Phali did well to save a well struck shot from 20 metres out from Amakhosi midfielder Jabulani Mendu in the 20th minute.

Chiefs kept up the pressure and winger Stanton Fredericks again tested the agile Ezenkosi keeper with a stinging shot that Phali managed to get his fingers tips to and send for a corner in the 25th minute.

There was a moment of controversy two minutes from the break when referee Walter Mochubela disallowed Fredericks’ headed goal.

There appeared to be an infringement by Mendu on Phali. Amakhosi took the lead from a free kick slotted home by Kabamba Musasa in the 48th minute. The goal sparked Cosmos into action and they managed to seize the initiative and draw level when Russel Mwafulriwa stabbed home a free kick in the 73rd minute to earn Cosmos a share of the points. – Sapa