JOMO Cosmos head coach Jomo Sono has abandoned all hope of getting automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership this season.
This comes after log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu’s stunning performance of 15 games without defeat in the first round.
Ezenkosi were relegated to the National First Division for the fifth time after the 2015-16 season following a 3-1 defeat to Maritzburg United at Olen Park in Potchefstroom in their last game of the season.
They are currently fifth in the NFD table with 22 points, 13 behind Thanda, who are sitting comfortably at the top of the standings with 35 points.
Another former PSL team eager to bounce back to the top flight but with only a slim chance of doing so, is AmaZulu.
AmaZulu are on their second stint in the NFD and lie fourth in the table.
The two former PSL clubs did not have the best start this season but gave a glimpse of what they are capable of towards the end of the first round when both moved up into the top five.
Usuthu and Ezenkosi will need to up their game in the second round if they want to ply their trade in the PSL next season.
Cosmos coach Sono says the only thing left for them is to fight for second or third position, which are play-offs spots.
He said: “The league title is gone, I think Thanda have won it. I won’t say how many points they need to be home and dry, but it is gone now.
“There is still the possibility of getting promotion via the play-offs.
“For us to make our dream of returning to the PSL come true we will need to fight for second place.
“The NFD is difficult. All the teams are fighting for one thing, which is promotion.
“I won’t be signing any players in this transfer window,” Sono revealed. “The team has gelled, we have found our feet.”
Thanda will need to make sure they don’t lose their top players in this transfer period to continue where they left off when the second round starts.
