Relentless in defence, Jomo Cosmos capitulated 5-3 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a penalty shoot-out after the SAA Supa8 semifinal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane ended goalless following extra-time.
Cosmos played with a cynical acceptance that their best chance of winning and entering the final against either Orlando Pirates or SuperSport United rested in ensuring the proceedings remained scoreless.
It all back-fired, however, when Thapelo Tshilo’s final penalty kick for Cosmos struck the post and second-half substitute Shakes Ngwenya earned Sundowns’ victory by completing his team’s full house of five successful penalties.
”It was a tactical ploy we had to employ because of their preponderence of skill,” said Cosmos owner-coach Jomo Sono afterwards, ”and it worked to a tee”.
”We could have played for five days without them scoring, but you never can be sure what is going to happen in a penalty shoot-out.”
In the process, the 120 minutes of play were a largely dour, uninspiring spectacle.
For all this, the Cosmos’ defence played with admirable discipline and unwavering concentration throughout as Sundowns became increasingly more anxious over their inability to pierce their defence.
And, at the death, Cosmos almost snatched a stunning victory against the run of play when Davies Mwepe twice had snap shots saved by Brian Baloyi in the Sundowns’ goal. – Sapa