/ 14 May 2008

Cosmos relegated after stumbling against Leopards

Jomo Cosmos will play in the National First Division (NFD) next season after losing 2-0 to fellow relegation candidates Black Leopards in their penultimate Absa Premiership game at the Oppenheimer Stadium in Orkney on Wednesday.

A goal by Myron Shongwe in the 18th minute and a strike on the stroke of half-time by Thabiso Hlalele sealed the fate of the luckless Cosmos, who had Nkosinathi Nhleko sent off four minutes before the break.

Leopards seem set to contest the relegation/promotional play-offs with three NFD teams during the off-season but still have a hope of avoiding it totally if they win their final game against Kaizer Chiefs and Thanda Royal Zulu lose their last match to Cosmos on Sunday.

Despite a few good displays against the likes of Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, Cosmos are officially the worst team in the Absa Premiership, having won only two games, drawing an astonishing 16 times and losing 11 in 29 matches.

In other games played on Wednesday, Pirates beat Free State Stars 3-1 and Moroka Swallows beat struggling AmaZulu 2-0. — Sapa