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Sundowns overpower Cosmos

Benoni - Mamelodi Sundowns recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Jomo Cosmos in an Absa Premiership clash played at Sinaba Stadium on Wednesday night.
 
The Brazilians got their goals from the boots of Katlego Mphela and Elias Pelembe in the second half. 
 
Both teams attacked from the first whistle displaying soccer wizardry much to the delight of the fans who suffered the cold weather to come and witness the proceedings and cheer their favourite teams.
 
Sundowns had an upper hand in the first half of this encounter, but Jomo Cosmos also played decent football despite the fact that the odds were heavily stacked against them and came into this game as underdogs.
 
Sundowns exerted pressure on Cosmos from the first whistle but seemed to run out of ideas on entering their opponents’ goal area with Ezenkosi’s defence easily dispossessing them.
 
In fact, Cosmos gave Sundowns a tough time. They played a defensive game and it was difficult for coach Johan Neeskens' charges to penetrate them.
 
Cosmos also created a number of chances, but could not manage to put the ball into the back of the net, as they fluffed their opportunities.
 
Sundowns could have taken the lead as early as the 14th minute but Katlego Mphela disappointed when he shot straight into the hands of Avril Phali in the Cosmos goal.
 
Sundowns had another chance in the 22nd minute but Musa Nyatama’s bullet like shot flew inches wide.
 
Cosmos also had a chance to open the scoring in the 28th minute, but Siyabonga Nontsinga’s shot missed the target.
 
Despite the misses, Sundowns were impressive on their forward forays with Teko Modise orchestrating the operations as the Brazilians swamped the Ezenkosi’s territory in search of a goal.
 
Cosmos also looked dangerous on a few raids they launched and had the Sundowns’ rearguard reeling as they piled on the pressure, but Jomo Sono’s charges were bugged by one problem: impatience in front of goal.
 
However, Cosmos were not lying on their laurels. They pushed forward with so much prestige but Siyanda Xulu, Method Mwanjale and Punch Masenamela stood firm and keeper Wayne Sandilands could only watch the proceedings as the Jomo Sono’s team were buzzing around in a vaguely threatening manner.
 
There was not much difference in the second half with the ball swinging from one end to the other, but with both teams failing to get that important opener.
 
However, Sundwons’ efforts were finally rewarded when Katlego Mphela scored from an indirect free kick in the 59th minute to put his side in the driving seat.
 
Cosmos had a chance to level matters but their substitute, Alton Meiring, who replaced last week’s goal-scorer against Chiefs, Tshidiso Tukane, failed to convert a penalty. In fact, his spot kick was saved by Wayne Sandilands in the 71st minute and much to the disappointment of coach, Jomo Sono.
 
Elias Pelembe put the final nail into the Cosmos’ coffin when he unleashed a powerful left footed shot, beating Avril Phali hands down in the 88th minute. 
 
Scorers:

Cosmos: (0) (0)
Sundowns: (0) (2)
 
Teams:

Jomo Cosmos: 4-5-1: Phali Kobola, Nonyane, Pila, Shabalala, Nhlapho, Maebela, Mkhwanazi, (Loke 46th) Tukane, (Meiring 69th) Theletsane, And (Sono 55th) Nontshinga.
 
Mamelodi Sundowns: 4-4-2: Sandilands, Mphahlele, Masenamela, Mwanjale, Xulu, Moriri, Modise, Nyatama, (Okpako 86th) Pelembe, Mokoena, Mphela, (Mushekwi 75th)

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