FAILURE of Jomo Cosmos to qualify for the Nedbank Cup last-32 could be a blessing in disguise as they will have more time to focus on the league title.
Ezenkosi failed to secure a last-32 spot when they were defeated 3-1 by National First Division (NFD) strugglers Ubuntu Cape Town FC on penalties after playing a 1-1 draw in regular time midweek.
But Cosmos attacking midfielder Tebogo Tlolane says missing out on the cup competition doesn’t mean the end of the season.
Their main focus is to win the league title.
“We’re disappointed, but we have to move on,” said Tlolane.
It’s the same story as in the past years, Cosmos are eyeing to make their top flight return and they know it’s never easy as they have failed to do so in past seasons.
But they’re not planning to give up anytime soon.
Later today they host Mthatha Bucks in their last match of the first round at Vosloorus Stadium, in Ekurhuleni (3.30pm).
So far, Jomo Sono’s charges have done well as they’re among the top teams in the league – something very rare for the team.
Usually at this time of the season you find Cosmos at the bottom half of the log, but with the performance they have displayed up so far, which sees them among the top teams, it’s clear they mean business.
Tlolane, who is still finding his feet in the team after recovering from along-term groin injury, says they want to end the year on a positive note after a disappointing display midweek.
“As players, we tend to take other teams lightly and that’s one of the recipes for failure.
“We’ve learnt our lesson and now want to end the first round on a high.
“Bucks won’t be an easy opponent. They are high on motivation so we’ll need to bring our A game,” said Tlolane.
Cosmos and Highlands Park are the only teams that went to the final first round matches, having scored more than 20 goals each team after 14 league matches.
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