Jomo Cosmos’ hopes of ending their 2003-2004 Castle Premiership season on a positive note by beating Orlando Pirates on Sunday were shattered when the Jomo Sono-led club drew 1-1 at the Rand Stadium.
This means that Cosmos have failed to defend their SAA Supa 8 Cup.
They are perched in 12th spot on the log while Pirates have already secured a place in the top eight bracket.
The Buccaneers, who lie seventh on the league table, led from the ninth minute via the boot of Joseph Makhanya. Pirates then became complacent and were deservedly punished when Cosmos equalised a full sixty minutes later.
Cosmos’ Hilton Cunha, who was always buzzing, was finally rewarded when he blasted home a beauty past a prostrate goalkeeper William Okpara in the 77th minute, making up for two earlier misses.
Earlier, Bamuza Sono also came close in the 31st minute but his long-range shot was tipped over the bar by Okpara.
The two clubs came back more determined in the second stanza.
Cosmos had the upper hand, forcing Pirates to back-pedal from constant pressure.
Cosmos’ Tebogo Mokoena was denied by the far post with Okpara in no man’s land in the 54th minute.
But it came as no shock when Cosmos levelled matters, with Cunha’s goal bringing life to his team. – Sapa