POTCHEFSTROOM – Jomo Cosmos are through to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup after beating AmaZulu 3-2 on penalties after the tie had ended 1-1 after extra-time at Olen Park on Tuesday night.
Cosmos goalkeeper Lesego Modiba proved to be his team’s hero, saving penalties from AmaZulu’s Tshepo Liphoko and Luyanda Hlongwa.
These two clubs once had a proud history in the topflight, but have both since fallen on hard times.
Durban-based AmaZulu are campaigning in the First Division, while yo-yo club Cosmos finds itself third-from-bottom on the PSL standings. This competition, therefore, was an opportunity to recapture some past glory.
After a cagey opening period, it was Cosmos, though, who drew first blood when former Wits forward Denver Mukamba opened the scoring with a neat left-footed finish.
AmaZulu then suffered a setback when Marc van Heerden limped off injured and coach Steve Barker was forced into making a change.
With AmaZulu desperate to get back on level terms, Barker made a tactical change 10 minutes into the second half, with Bornwell Mwape coming on for Linda Bengu.
The Durban team’s hard work and pressure paid off when Alan Mukaka netted the equaliser, tapping in from close range. And then, in search of a winner, Barker made his final substitution, bringing on Zaid Patel in place of Ayanda Dlamini.
AmaZulu had a chance to seal the game just before full-time when Mame Niang went close with a free-kick, but it ended 1-1 after 90 minutes and the game headed into extra-time.
Niang was red-carded 10 minutes into the first period of extra-time, but there was no change to the scoreline and the match headed into the lottery of a penalty shootout where Cosmos would ultimately prevail.
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