Arrows, Cosmos keep promotion hopes

Round 18 of the National First Division saw the battle for top spot between Jomo Cosmos and Golden Arrows continue unabated, while basements teams Garankuwa United and Maluti FET College suffered defeats in high-scoring matches.

Saturday saw an avalanche of goals across the country, with no less than 22 scored from just five NFD matches. The major results saw the leading pair of Golden Arrows and Jomo Cosmos claim home victories. Abafana Bes’thende defeated FC Cape Town 2-0, while Ezenkosi claimed a 2-1 win over Milano United.

Cosmos’s victory came courtesy of goals from Charlton Mashumba and Matsilele Sono Jr, while Waseem Isaacs replied for Milano. Arrows’ scorers were Andile Fikizolo and Prince Nxumalo, who is on loan from SuperSport United, and the Durban side remain one point ahead of Ezenkosi at the summit.

Witbank Spurs crushed Highlands Park 3-0, while the two teams placed at the bottom of the log each lost seven-goal thrillers. Fifteenth-placed Garankuwa United went down 4-3 at home to Royal Eagles, while 16th-placed Maluti FET College were beaten 5-2 by visitors Black Leopards.

Sunday’s three matches saw a further eight goals scored. Santos and African Warriors played out a 2-2 stalemate, the only draw of the round, while third-placed Thanda Royal Zulu were unable to close the four-point gap to the top two after suffering a 3-0 defeat at Vasco da Gama.

Cape Town All Stars, meanwhile, have moved up to fifth place on the log after a 1-0 away win over mid-table Baroka FC.

RESULTS

Saturday

Jomo Cosmos 2-1 Milano United
Golden Arrows 2-0 FC Cape Town
Witbank Spurs 3-0 Highlands Park
Garankuwa United 2-5 Black Leopards
Maluti FET College 3-4 Royal Eagles

Sunday

Santos 2-2 African Warriors
Vasco da Gama 3-0 Thanda Royal Zulu
Baroka FC 0-1 Cape Town All Stars