The match, which was tied at 1-1 after extra-time, was a dull affair and only came to life after the regulation 90 minutes. Definitely a poor advertisement for South African football, with referee Ace Ncobo not faring any better with the whistle.
Although Stars dominated the opening stages, the first real chance of the game fell to Cosmos from a corner, but Thapelo Tshilo’s header was cleared off the line by Stars’ captain Stanley Kgatla in the 32nd minute.
The match remained goalless at half-time.
Sibusiso Hadebe created the first chance of the second half when he shot at goal from range, but his effort flew straight at Stars’ keeper Wayne Sandilands, who saved comfortably.
Ezenkosi keeper Avril Phali was twice forced to tip over from crosses by Collen Makgopela late in the second half.
Makgopela also saw his header cleared off the line three minutes from the end, forcing the match into extra-time.
Stars went ahead five minutes after the restart when hard-working striker Simba Marumo slotted home from close range after receiving a pass from Tshepo Ramokala.
Cosmos almost drew level five minutes later when Dikgang Mabalane raced through on goal, but Sandilands rushed off his line to make a superb save.
Substitute Lethola Mofokeng forced the match into penalties when he leveled matters with a superb overhead kick just before the break.
Ncobo astonishingly sent off Marumo and Morgan Gould in the second half of extra time following Gould’s challenge on the Stars striker.
Stars had the ball in the back of the net two minutes before the end of extra time, but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Phali.
Edward Williams, Michael Mogaila, Makgopela and Koketso Mmotong scored for Stars, while Abass Inusah and Ramokala missed from the spot. For Cosmos, Sipho Sephadi, Helman Mkhalele, Mabalane, Mofokeng and Innocent Ntsume hit the back of the net, with Thapelo Tshilo missing his effort.
