Black Leopards will play host to Jomo Cosmos in the penultimate game of the
NFD/PSL playoffs on Wednesday knowing that a victory will seal their top-flight status next season irrespective of the result between Cosmos and Platinum Stars in the final game that will be played on Saturday.
NFD/PSL Playoff Fixture 5
Black Leopards vs Jomo Cosmos
Wednesday, May 30th 2018
Thohoyandou Stadium, Limpopo
Kick-off at 15:00 (3pm) SA time
Lidoda Duvha have been the standout side in the playoff’s so far, scoring five goals along the way and are still the only outfit to register a win, with two draws in their other two outings leaving the Limpopo based team three points clear of their provincial rivals ahead of the reverse fixture with Cosmos following their thrilling 2-2 draw last weekend. With just two defeats in their last 15 matches in all competitions since the end of January, Leopards are on the brink of playing their football in the promised land for the first time since 2013.
Ezenkosi still hold their fate in their own hands after they picked up a point against Platinum Stars last time out to keep them within reach of table toppers Black Leopards but Cosmos know that defeat on Wednesday will confirm their participation in the National First Division next season for a third successive year. A draw would just keep them in with a shout but they would then need to pick up maximum points in their final fixture against Stars, winning with at least a two-goal margin.
NFD/PSL Playoff results:
16/05/2018 – Black Leopards 1-0 Platinum Stars
20/05/2018 – Jomo Cosmos 2-2 Black Leopards
23/05/2018 – Platinum Stars 0-0 Jomo Cosmos
26/05/2018 – Platinum Stars 2-2 Black Leopards
It has been over ten years since Leopards last tasted defeat at home against Jomo Sono’s men, 2-1 in the PSL back in February 2007. These two clubs have a long rich history between them in South African football and on Wednesday they will meet for the 28
th time across two divisions.
Black Leopards vs Jomo Cosmos head-to-head: (all competitions)
Played: 27
Leopards Wins: 10
Draws: 10
Cosmos Wins: 7
Leopards Goals: 36
Cosmos Goals: 29
Jomo Cosmos ran out 2-1 winners when they faced off in November before Leopards returned the favour with a thumping 3-0 final day victory in the reverse fixture to secure their spot in the playoffs. The corresponding league fixture last season ended in a 1-1 draw after Musonda Mwape’s first-half strike for the home side was cancelled out by Brice Aka in the second. Mwape is certainly the one to watch on Wednesday after he bagged his second brace in as many games in the playoffs. The 27-year-old Zambian forward has netted three goals in his last five appearances against Cosmos, despite Leopards only managing to pick up one win in their last six matches against them.
Black Leopards vs Jomo Cosmos last seven: (all competitions)
20/05/2018 – Cosmos 2-2 Leopards
06/05/2018 – Leopards 3-0 Cosmos
05/11/2017 – Cosmos 2-1 Leopards
26/04/2017 – Cosmos 2-0 Leopards
10/09/2016 – Leopards 1-1 Cosmos
27/05/2015 – Cosmos 0-0 Leopards
17/05/2015 – Leopards 2-0 Cosmos
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