Jomo Sono will go into the Christmas break as a happy man after his Jomo Cosmos side dispatched Santos 3-1 at Olen Park in Potchefstroom on Sunday, 18 December.

A double strike from Lefa Hlongwane and an early Christmas present in the form of an own goal from Sachin Dawood wrapped it all up for the men in yellow. Santos though grabbed a late goal from Emil Sambou to prevent a white wash.

Hlongwane was a true star for Cosmos as the talented striker constantly looked for space with his pace up front. He had numerous chances in the first half and finally found his range with a well taken strike into the bottom far right corner to put Ezenkosi 1-0 ahead.

Cosmos’ leading goal scorer this season, Mxolisi Macuphu, almost doubled the home team’s advantage, but his rocket of a shot cannoned against the crossbar. Fans in the stadium left out a gasp as the ball was inches from hitting the net.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

Denzil Haoseb was a constant menace in the midfield with Tebogo Makobela also delivering some great passes for the strikers to attack.

The score was 1-0 at the break for Cosmos as Santos was well and truly being put under the cosh on a hot summer’s day. The pattern of the first half continued in the second, as Cosmos kept putting Santos under immense pressure.

Santos’ defence crumbled as Dawood put the ball into his own net after trying to block an incoming pass. Shortly thereafter Hlongwane got his brace and Cosmos’ third with a well-timed rebound after Dino Visser aved Ananias Gebhardt initial shot.

The win places Cosmos in fifth place in the National First Division standings on 22 points and is 13 points behind log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu.

Cosmos next match is against Mthatha Bush Bucks on 11 February in Mthatha.