Jomo Cosmos bagged their first Absa Premiership victory since their return to the Premier Soccer League when they beat Polokwane City 1-0 at Olen Park Stadium on Saturday night.

Charlton Mashumba’s first half goal gave the PSL returnees something to cheer about after seven games in the top flight, however, it was the Citizens who were out looking for their second win in the 2015/16 season and they signalled their intentions as early as the opening stages of the tie.

In the first 10 minutes, both sides tried to settle down and it was the visitors who first made attempts to get an early lead when Puleng Tlolane took a shot but he and missed to the right of the target.

The hosts controlled the proceedings but failed to retain the ball and City skipper, Jabu Maluleke took a shot at goal and goalkeeper Sherwyn Naicker safely held on.

However, three minutes later, the goal scorer Mashumba responded swiftly with a shot but he couldn’t hit the target and the ball went wide.

Just after 35 minutes of action, the Zimbabwean bounced back and netted for Ezenkosi with a fine header to hand the hosts the deserved lead.

Two minutes later, Pentjie Zulu’s strike in an aim to make it two went straight to goalkeeper George Chigova and the hosts went to the dug-out leading 1-0.

In the second stanza, Nkueni Mayala’s men pushed forward and showed great sense of urgency as Siphesihle Nzimande unleashed a powerful shot in the 58th minute but it was cleared by Ndabenhle Mthembu.

Towards the 60th minute, fouls dominated the game as they disrupted the flow of in the middle of the park, however, it was the hosts who nearly grabbed the second goal when Mashumba took a direct free kick, but he failed to direct it to the posts and it flew over the bar.

Jomo Sono’s fought hard to hold on to their maiden win as they bagged the full three points, denying Mayala his first three points since taking over from Kostadin Papic.

The win takes Ezenkosi to the 13th spot with seven points from nine matches whilst City move to the 14th spot on the Absa Premiership standings with seven points.

Jomo Cosmos (1) 1 (Mashumba 36’)
Polokwane City 0

Cosmos: Naicker, Nsabiyumva, Mngomezulu, Mthembu, Makobela, Jampies, P. Zulu, Monare (Lingwati 76’), Mashumba, Aka (Maluleke 69’), Mntambo (B. Sono 90’)

Polokwane: Chigova, Phungwayo, Masenamela, Mbonani, Tema, J. Nene, Nzimande, Maluleke (Kanyenda 83’), Alexander, Mncwango (Jembula 75’), Tlolane