Newly promoted Jomo Cosmos are hoping to spring a big surprise when they face unbeaten Orlando Pirates in their Absa Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday night. Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
Ezenkosi go into the match against the early season pace-setters boosted by their 2-1 win over the other rookie Premier Soccer League (PSL) club, Mpumalanga Black Aces, at the Rand Stadium on Wednesday night — their first Premiership win in three matches.
The Buccaneers are unbeaten in their three games after beating Moroka Swallows 1-0 in a Soweto derby at the Dobsonville Stadium in their Wednesday night fixture. Bucs head the standings with seven points.
”We strongly believe that we have the players to compete man for man with any side in the PSL, including Pirates,” said Cosmos manager Andrew Rabutla.
”We have a huge respect for Pirates but we are definitely not afraid, and after beating Aces we go into Saturday’s match bubbling with confidence.”
He added that any club with as many Bafana Bafana stars as Bucs have — including Teko Modise, Katlego Mashego, Benson Mhlongo, who scored against the Birds, Lucky Lekgwathi and Lucas Thwala — deserved respect. But he stressed no team is unbeatable.
Rabutla said that the club’s signing of striker Koena Mathopa from Santos by owner and head coach Jomo Sono is turning out to be a master stroke. Mathopa and another promising newcomer, Bongani Theletsane, scored the goals against Aces.
But they are going to have to be at their best against Bucs, who have not conceded a goal in their three league matches and are one of the early favourites to challenge for the Premiership crown.
”Mathopa has been brilliant. He is a fantastic player and encourages those around him,” said former Bafana defender Rabutla. ”We are going to hear a lot more of him this season.”
The other key player for Cosmos is former Bafana midfielder Bamuza Sono, who set up both goals against Aces.
Cosmos now have four points from three games, and Rabutla said they were hungry for more.
”We are playing well and hope to upset Pirates and collect more points. We will be studying Pirates’ win over Swallows to make sure we are fully prepared,” he said.
The other factor that has impressed the former Cosmos and Bafana hardman is the spirit in the camp.
”After the win over Aces the players were all saying how much they are looking forward to playing Pirates,” Rabutla said.
”They are determined to do it for Jomo and for the club. I cannot predict a result, but one thing I can guarantee is that the fans will see a highly entertaining game.”
Defending champions SuperSport United, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Bloemfontein Celtic at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Wednesday, will aim to stay unbeaten when they host Ajax Cape Town at the Super Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Ajax, who won through to the MTN8 Cup final, were shocked 2-0 at Newlands by neighbours Santos in midweek and have only one point from their three fixtures, which will not please coach Muhsin Ertugral.
BidVest Wits, who are also unbeaten, entertain Celtic at Milpark on Saturday night (8pm) in what could be a closely fought 90 minutes. The Students stunned struggling Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday but will be minus injured defenders Neil Winstanley and Justin Millar.
Chiefs, looking for their first league win of the season, travel to Durban’s Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday to play AmaZulu. Usuthu were also beaten on Wednesday, losing 2-0 to Maritzburg United.
In Sunday’s other fixture, Swallows play Free State Stars at Goble Park. Both games kick-off at 3pm. — Sapa