13 April 2018
Tembisa, South Africa

A month undefeated sees us still alive in the Champions League and Nedbank Cup. The league title appears to be out of our reach, but a second placed finish is still possible.

Blow by Blow

Injury Report

Motaung is only backup right back so unless we lose our starter we should be able to get through this issue.

Nedbank Cup Second Round

These guys play a 4-4-2 with advanced wide midfielders. They also seem to like attacking down the left.

One change from last match where Muhimpundu comes in for Duarte in the midfield.

We get caught out early by a ball over top and they make no mistake. 1-0 Black Aces. We hit back with a long ball of our own to level the game up. We start to take control of the ball better and apply pressure. They still look dangerous on the break. Just before half-time Nene loses his marker, turns and drives a low shot into the bottom corner. 2-1 Cosmos.

It’s that man Nene again who gets on the end of a great team move to blast home a cross. 3-1 Cosmos. Luthuli pulls off a series of good saves, however poor marking from a corner sees the Black Aces get back into the match. 3-2 Cosmos. Nene turns provider as he sets up Radzi for what should be the decider. 4-2 Cosmos.

No surprise that Nene has been named man of the match. He was fantastic once again taking his goal tally to 18 for the season, scored at one every 81.77 minutes.

Nedbank Cup Quarter Final Draw

No idea who The Vardos are but they are doing mighty well for themselves. We have the Black Leopards in our match.

Nene Sets New Record

What can you say about Nene? He has been a revelation this year.

CAF Champions League 1st Round Leg 1

Not much to go on here they seem to favour the right on attack, and have a high cross percentage.

Two changes from the previous match Duarte and Majola start ahead of Muhimpundu and Grigorjevs. Ngcobo is still on the bench – will be back soon.

After a period of feeling each other out, Majola repays my confidence with a lovely finish. Tseka made it 2-0 with a lovely header at the near post off a corner. Majola produced a fine save after another good run. Tetouan had a shot which was directed wide under pressure.

Second half starts with more of the same from us. Makaringe strikes the bar with a fierce shot and Nene is on hand to put away the rebound. Nogi makes it four with a good header. First change sees Ngcobo on for first minutes after injury – he lasts 10 mins before being forced off following a hard challenge. Tseka gets a second goal from a corner to make it 5-0 Comos.

It is hard to single out one player although the strike by Majola in the first half set the tone. One piece of good news is the knock suffered by Ngcobo was not serious.

Match 25/30 – ABSA Premiership

Amazulu play a 3-5-2 which has been difficult for us to dominate in the past.

Two changes from the last team as Lubasa rotates in for Nogi and Ngcobo starts for the first time since coming back from injury.

Ridzi forces the first save for Cosmos. Makaringe misses an open header on 10 mins. Makaringe scores with a fantastic strike to make it 1-0 Cosmos – Assist by Nene. Majola gave away a penalty with almost the last act of the half. It is converted to undo our hard work and make it 1-1 at the break.

Majola has not had the best of games.They score just after the half but were offside! Makaringe scores his second for the game with a great strike and completed his hat-trick moments later to allow us to breathe easier. Substitute Grigorjevs completed the scoring making it 4-1 Cosmos.

Makaringhe picked up a well deserved POM award. All things considered a good result.

Youth Intake

The youth intake has been and gone. We had a good crop of youngsters. Here are the pick of the litter.

We seem to have no problem producing young striking talent. John Mangena is an example of this.

Dylan Twala is another top candidate.

Finally we have Tsepho Mthebani who is a good young keeper for the future.

CAF Champions League 1st Round Leg 2

We come into this game with five away goals. I just can’t see them getting back into the tie.

Five changes from the team which started our last match, including a whole new midfield. Nene and Radzi are retained up front however.

The opening minutes are free flowing end to end play. We settle down and begin to control the possession. We are struggling to get shots on target today.

Lavet comes on and finally scores a goal from a header! At the hour mark we have had 73% possession. Nogi unfortunately gifts them and own goal, however Lavet bags his second goal to restore the teams lead.

Lavet earns player of the match for his two goals.  I am happy to be through to the next round.

Injury Report

Muhimpundu is out for just over a week after picking up a knock. Not the end of the world!

CAF Champions League 2nd Round Draw

Match 26/30 – ABSA Premiership

Chippa United have been having a torrid time this season and find themselves in 15th place. We should win this game at a canter, however I am not taking anything for granted.

Makaringe, Tseka and Motaung return to the starting line-up. Zech retains his place due to Duarte being suspended.

First real chance falls to Grigorjevs which demands a fine save from the keeper. Radzi is not denied as his deflected shot sneaks in. Chippa have made a good fist of the game and it is a close 1-0 scoreline at half-time.

Chippa have played better in the second half and have looked the more threatening. Nene gives way to Lavet as I attempt to change things up. Luthuli makes a fine save to deny Chippa an equalizer. Sadly we can’t keep them out as rebound off the post is blasted home. Lavet has a chance  which is well saved and the game ends 1-1.

A disappointing result which sums up our league form. We have been playing well enough for a top four spot but not well enough to win it.

Results Summary

The draw against Chippa was the only blemish on what was a great few weeks for us.

League Table

Kaizer Cheifs have opened up a title winning lead and it will take a miracle to catch them. Fair play to them as they have been the front runners all season. We are well placed for a top four finish and second is still under our control.

Next Episode

Up next we will have two league games, the Nedbank Cup Quarter Final, and both legs of the CAF Champions League 2nd Round.