/ 30 March 2008

Cosmos miss, Lions through to next round

Bamuza Sono, son of Jomo Sono and owner and coach of Jomo Cosmos FC, missed a penalty and Nathi Lions Luyanda Nxumalo scored the final spot kick to book a place in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup for the national first division (NFD) outfit.

Lions won 5-3 in the shoot-out after the game ended goalless after 120 minutes.

The match was a laborious affair as the Lions tried to catch Cosmos on the counterattack. While the hosts were more energetic than their NFD opponents, they lacked the composure to finish off the few chances they created.

Lions were a bit more adventurous in the second stanza and went forward confidently but could not find a way through a resilient Cosmos defence.

The match was just as dreary in extra-time, with both sides running hard but still not able to find an opening.

The penalties were executed with aplomb, except for Sono’s. The midfielder pushed his shot inches wide of the goalmouth and Lions next two penalty takers remained calm and expertly beat Avril Phali to become the first NFD team into the quarterfinals. – Sapa