Platinum Stars, handed an
ABSA Premiership lifeline, will take to the field once again on Wednesday as they welcome Jomo Cosmos to town for their crunch NFD/PSL Promotion Playoff encounter with both sides seeking their first win in the series of round robin matches.
Platinum Stars vs Jomo Cosmos
NFD/PSL Promotion Playoff
Wednesday, May 23rd 2018
Moruleng Stadium, Rustenburg
Kick-off at 19:30 (7:30pm) SA time
There was drama aplenty before a ball had even been kicked as Ajax Cape Town were docked points and handed a hefty fine for fielding an illegible Tendai Ndoro which resulted in immediate relegation for the side from the Mother City. Platinum Stars had less than 48 hours to regather their squad to prepare for their clash with Black Leopards, which ultimately ended in a 1-0 defeat amid some major refereeing controversy.
Lidoda Duvha top the table having played half of their four playoff matches picking up four points thus far after following up that opening day victory with a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Jomo Cosmos on Sunday. Cyril Lingwati scored a stoppage time equaliser as Jomo Sono’s men twice came back from a goal-behind in the fixture to secure a vital point after Musonda Mwape scored either side of half time for the visitors.
This will be the 17
th meetings between Platinum Stars and Jomo Cosmos in all competitions since the former won promotion to South Africa’s top-flight for the first time in 2004. They have not faced each other however in over two years since February 2016 when they latter suffered the ill-fate of relegation to the depths National First Division after just one season back in the PSL.
Platinum Stars vs Jomo Cosmos head-to-head: (all competitions)
Played: 16
Stars Wins: 7
Draws: 7
Cosmos Wins: 2
Stars Goals: 24
Cosmos Goals: 15
Roger De Sa will be in a buoyant mood ahead of his sides match with Cosmos and will be hoping that history beckons in their favour when they lock horns. They have won their last three-in-a-row against Ezenkosi and have never suffered defeat at home against one of South African footballs most familiar faces, in eight attempts. Cosmos have won just one of their last 10 league matches against Platinum Stars.
Dikwena will look to their centre-forwards as their source for goals. 26-year-old Letsie Koapeng has netted twice in his last four outings while top-scorer 27-year-old Bongi Ntuli, who is set to join ABSA Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, has bagged six goals and laid on a further three assists for teammates in 29 appearances in all competitions this season. Cosmos most prolific men are Onassis Mntambo (five goals in 14 appearances) and Lefa Hlongwane who has found the back of the net three times already in just 11 appearances since joining from TTM FC in the January transfer window.
Platinum Stars vs Jomo Cosmos last seven: (all competitions)
21/02/2016 – Stars 1-0 Cosmos
13/09/2015 – Cosmos 1-2 Stars
02/05/2012 – Stars 4-1 Cosmos
01/04/2012 – Cosmos 0-0 Stars* (CUP)
03/12/2011 – Cosmos 2-1 Stars
21/11/2009 – Stars 2-0 Cosmos
08/08/2009 – Cosmos 0-0 Stars
*Jomo Cosmos won 4-3 on penalties
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