Number two versus number 14 on the Absa Premiership table. Muhsin Ertugral versus Jomo Sono. Red versus Blue. North West versus Mpumalanga. Cosmos versus Aces.

These are all the stipulations and attractions for a fascinating encounter between two vastly different football teams as Mpumalanga Black Aces travel to Potchefstroom tonight to face Jomo Cosmos at Olën Park.

Jomo Cosmos beat Orlando Pirates in a shock 1-0 win, but then suffered to a 1-0 defeat against Polokwane City over the weekend while Aces defeated Chippa United on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium. Both teams have everything to lose and everything to prove as points are vital, albeit in different spectrums for the two teams.

Cosmos is currently in 14th position on the table, still fighting for survival and will take three points with a massive smile against Aces who are in title contention in second
place. Aces have performed brilliantly with the experience Ertugral in charge. Aces striker, Collins Mbesuma has been a revelation with 11 goals this season and he seems to be finding the form of old he once had at Kaizer Chiefs a decade ago.
Cosmos’s Charlton Mashumba has also been deadly in front of goal and it is almost a certain bet that one of these two players will perform the magic when needed most.

It will also be foolish to rule out the impact of the two keepers who have been outstanding for their respective sides between the sticks this season. Shu-Aib Walters of Aces and Sherwin Naicker of Cosmos will both be hoping for a clean sheet but it will almost be certain that these two will have to work for it. Naicker has been magnificent with his reflex saves and it was his agility that got Cosmos the win against Pirates two weeks ago.

Expect fireworks when these two teams meet tonight!
The match kicks off at 19:30 at Olën Park.