/ 28 January 2005

‘Cosmos are in serious trouble’

Moroka Swallows are hoping to send struggling Jomo Cosmos deeper into the relegation quagmire at Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg on Sunday.

”Cosmos are in serious trouble, we are going to tear them to pieces in their own backyard,” warned Swallows marketing and communications manager Sipho Xulu.

Cosmos are still trying to recover following a 3-0 defeat to Chiefs in a midweek game at the same venue where their last line of defence was exposed.

The sooner Cosmos owner-coach Jomo Sono gets another quality goalkeeper as a back-up to first-choice Avril Phali, the better.

”We are not going to read too much into Cosmos performance against Chiefs, otherwise we will find ourselves in big trouble,” said Xulu.

”It will be a tough match because Cosmos have some pretty good players. Our main aim of going to Phokeng is to pocket the three points at stake.

”We want to continue doing well in order to remain in the top-four bracket on the log,” added Xulu, whose club played to a goalless draw against Mamelodi Sundowns last Sunday.

Cosmos manager Meneer Masondo said the embarrassing defeat by Chiefs is now water under the bridge, warning Swallows to forget about taking home even a single point.

”The boys are ready for Swallows and we will give them a run for their money,” said Masondo, adding that striker Rusell Mwafulirwa will not travel with the team to the North West.

Mwafulirwa, the Malawian international, was sent off by referee Jerome Damon in their midweek game against the reigning league champions.

Sono is likely to introduced Mozambican international To Cunha to fill the gap created by the absence of the big Mwafulirwa.

Another senior Cosmos player who is expected back in action is former Bafana Bafana central defender Andrew Rabutla, to bring stability at the back. — Sapa