Cosmos back in top-flight

Their man-of-the-moment was the hard-working Evans Gwekwerere, who hit a goal in each half.   The game kicked off four minutes late due to delays in acknowledging that Jomo Sono was playing under protest – claiming that Kicks’ Nigerian Akeem Olubambiro was improperly registered – but right from the start it was evident that both sides were serious.   However, it was Kicks with their long, high balls who opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Aleni Lebyane hit a cracking left-footed shot into the top left corner of the net.   Cosmos were stung into action and within a minute equalised through Gwekwerere‘s close-range header. And they could have taken the lead in the 23rd minute, but Kicks goalkeeper Edward More made a brilliant one-handed save from the Zimbabwean striker.   In fact, More was called upon to make another great save just before half-time and Kicks could also have scored their second goal had Kingston Nkhatha’s header not hit the post.   But Jomo Sono’s side took the lead in the 53rd minute when More fumbled a ball from Gwekwerere and although it was fast and furious stuff for the remainder of the game, the more experienced Cosmos held out to claim a well-deserved win.   Kicks will have a second bite of the cherry when they participate in the other play-offs, which involve FC Cape Town, Mpumalanga Black Aces and Thanda Royal Zulu.