/ 30 August 2005

Relegation-threatened Cosmos help out PSL

From first proclaiming a glut of appealing mid-week fixtures to finding four clubs who are ready and able to allow the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to honour an agreement with Supersport to feature a ”double dose” of games on television.

This was the predicament that faced the PSL after belatedly coming face-to-face with the realisation that Fifa’s international programme during the coming week seriously limits any domestic programme.

But with the spectre of relegation already round the corner for Jomo Cosmos, club owner and coach Jomo Sono was clearly only too happy to help the PSL solve the predicament caused by Fifa’s week of international fixtures.

And the net result is a game against Dynamos at Germiston Stadium on Tuesday afternoon for the bottom team in the log.

A second match on Tuesday night between Ajax Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic at Athlone Stadium will enable the PSL to keep their commitment to Supersport — although the two-game TV bonanza has been switched from Wednesday because of its proximity to the weekend’s international programme.

Like Cosmos, the ebullient Bloemfontein Celtic will also appear eager to participate in as many games as possible at this juncture — but for different reasons.

Following Celtic’s humbling of Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs (twice) and Orlando Pirates in cup competition this season, the Bloemfontein team may be keen to continue their rampant run.

And Ajax, despite a back-to-the-wall draw with Chiefs last week, look decidedly vulnerable at the moment, while Celtic could fancy their chances of notching yet another scalp.

For Cosmos, the game against Dynamos provides them with a timely opportunity to stop the rot after Sono proclaimed last season’s unending battle against relegation something of the past. — Sapa