Jomo Cosmos starts year with a loss

It was a sour start for Jomo Sono’s Cosmos in its first Absa Premiership match of 2016 as the team succumbed 1-0 to University of Pretoria on Saturday, 9 January.
Both sides came into this match on the back of losses in their final game of 2015 and were looking to start the new year on a high.
The loss now piles more pressure on Sono’s boys who have struggled of late and are almost dwelling in the relegation zone.
It was a game of missed chances for Cosmos, who will need to start firing in front of goal and convert half chances into goals if they plan to stay in the top flight this season. Otherwise, the all too familiar picture of Cosmos being relegated to the National First Division, after only a year in the top flight, might well again be painted.
Tuks can be satisfied with their performance in the match and will breathe a sigh of relief after coming into the match on a one-game losing streak.
The heroes for Tuks were their goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, who made a number of fantastic reflex saves as well as the goalscorer, Willem Mwedihanga who powered in a powerful volley in the 22nd minute.
It was a surprising goal from Mwedihanga, who is not always the regular name on the scoring sheet and more known for his abilities in defence.
Either way, it was a memorable hit that left Tuks celebrating and Cosmos out on their feet.
Cosmos keeper, Sherwin Naicker, was also not to be outdone as he made a number of critical saves, to keep Ezenkozi in the game.
He stopped striker, Thabo Mnyamane in a one-on-one situation in the 11th minute of the game as well as keeping out Thabo Mosadi twice in the space of ten minutes. Naicker was definitely the busier of the two in the first half and Cosmos can thank him for only going down 1-0 at the half time interval
Matsilele Sono could have drawn Cosmos level in the early stages of the second half to give the away team a much-needed boost. Instead, he missed one shot and saw another effort saved by the majestic Arubi.
The action went back and forth in the second half as either side could have scored more goals, but Tuks did enough to hold on for a 1-0 win . . Tuks are now just one point behind Cosmos with 9 points. Cosmos are still in 14th on 10 points.
Cosmos plays its next PSL match at home to Ajax Cape Town on Sunday 17 January at Olen Park. Kick-off will start at 15:30.