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As the league goes on a month’s recess, coaches will be taking stock of what the first third of the season has handed them.
While most will be pleased with how the first 10 games have gone, some have been left to chew on the short end of the stick.
Jomo Sono falls in the latter category after finding the going extremely tough in top-flight football.
Jomo Cosmos’ return to the Absa Premiership has been full of disappointment so far. With a third of the soccer season already played – exactly 20 games remain – Ezenkosi are already playing for survival after a very poor start. They have had a season to forget so far – with just a single victory in 10 matches, and they are currently third from the bottom in the standings.
Some have been saying you can already hear the National First Division (NFD) calling them back to its more modest pastures. But Sono has remained positive about his team’s survival. The Cosmos boss said he was not in panic mode yet and confident his squad could turn the corner.
If he can instil the same confidence in his charges, they may start getting positive results.
After registering their first victory against Polokwane City last month, Cosmos went back to their losing ways in their next two matches.
What should be most worrying to Sono is his leaky defence, which conceded six goals in those matches – three goals apiece – against Mpumalanga Black Aces and Bidvest Wits.
Hopefully the international break will have given him a chance to work on Cosmos’ frailties at the back. This will be put to the test this afternoon when they host Chippa United at Olen Park – auspiciously the home venue where they won their only game.
The good thing for Cosmos is the fact that those just above them have not been doing particularly well either, with just a few points separating the bottom eight teams. The season is likely to hold many more twists and turns.
Chippa United have been blowing hot and cold. They also desperately need the three points to move up the ladder.
Unlike Sono, Roger Sikhakhane is under pressure to deliver, knowing the axe might fall on him. A win over Cosmos will, however, cement the Chilli Boys’ position in the top eight.
. Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Black Aces return to the venue where they beat Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout last month.
After a good start to the season, October was not a good month for Muhsin Ertugral, as his side only salvaged one point in three games and lost their unbeaten run when they went down to Kaizer Chiefs and Chippa before bouncing back against Cosmos earlier this month.
Celtic, who have not tasted a league win since the last week of September, will be aiming to avenge the cup loss and get their campaign back on track.
