Jomo Cosmos beat Bidvest Wits 2-1 in an almost farcical and drama-filled Telkom Knockout Cup last-16 match at the Bidvest Stadium on Friday night.
As expected, the game started off drearily, but all hell broke loose after Cosmos went 1-0 up from an Anthony Laffor header in the 65th minute. Wits midfielder Phil Evans then sneakily head-butted Bamuza Sono as the Cosmos players celebrated on the far side of the pitch, but the assistants spotted his devious action.
However, referee Thabo Nkosi sent both players off after consulting his assistants on the touchline. As Evans and Sono entered the tunnel, a fracas started and both sides’ officials and substitutes stormed into the tunnel.
The players on the field followed and it was a mess as security officials invaded the narrow gateway entrance too.
Minutes later everyone came out of the tunnel and the game continued, albeit with more malicious tackles.
Clever Boys goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs almost equalised when he ran all the way up field for an Almiro Lobo corner kick. The home crowd were spurred on by his attempted heroics and started urging their team on, but the captain’s header was easily caught by Avril Phali.
A minute later Ashraf Hendricks netted the equaliser from a Lobo corner kick and Wits were back in the game and the ecstatic fans loved it.
In spite of this boost and vociferous support, Cosmos had the last laugh as Laffor again connected with a Dikgang Mabalane pass.
Although five minutes of extra-time were played and Josephs again pushed up for a corner, it was not to be Wits’ night as the visitors held on to their slender lead. — Sapa