The South African flag-bearers gallantly lost the closely-fought encounter by a lone goal scored via a penalty following a goalless ending in regulation time.

However, the game was reportedly marred by poor officiating, which saw Ezenkosi on the receiving end of several questionable decisions.

Incidentally, the loss to Raja was the first suffered by Cosmos in the competition after the team had maintained a 100 percent record, winning three games and drawing one to top Group B without conceding a goal.

It was a vintage performance that made Jomo Sono’s men hot favourites to cart away the grand prize. But that was not destined to be as a combination of factors robbed the team of ultimate victory.

The Ezenkosi pair of defender Morgan Gould and striker Helton Cunha were also on course for the Player of the Tournament prize after scooping two MVP Awards each during the group games.

Young defender, Mokete Tsotetsi was a revelation for Jomo Cosmos throughout the tournament.

How the team played at the Friendship Tournament

Group B - Abha (August 11, 2004)
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) 0 Jomo Cosmos 0
Cosmos: Phali; Ryan Hodgskin, Mokete Tsotetsi, Nahayo (T. Mokoena), Mohlala; Gould, Ntsume, B. Sono (Mhlathe), Nkambule (Lekgothoane); Tshimanga, Haskins
Coach: Jomo Sono
MVP Award: Morgan Gould

Group B - Abha (August 13, 2004)
Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) 0 Jomo Cosmos 1
Cosmos: Phali; Hodgskin, Tsotetsi, Gould, Mohlala; Ntsume, T. Mokoena (cap), Haskins (Nkambule; sent off), Lekgothoane; Tshimanga (Mhlathe), Cunha
Coach: Jomo Sono
Goal scorer: Betu Tshimanga
MVP Award: Morgan Gould

Group B - Abha - (August 16, 2004)
Jomo Cosmos 2 CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) 0
Cosmos: Phali; Hodgskin, Tsotetsi, Gould, Mohlala; Ntsume, T. Mokoena (cap) (Sephadi), Haskins, Lekgothoane; Tshimanga (Motlhajwa), Cunha
Coach: Jomo Sono
Goal scorers: Betu Tshimanga, Helton Cunha
MVP Award: Helton Cunha

Group B - Abha - (August 18, 2004)
Jomo Cosmos 1 Japanese Selected 0
Cosmos: Phali; Hodgskin, Tsotetsi, Gould, Mohlala; Ntsume, Sephadi, Mhlathe (Mophaleng), Lekgothoane; Tshimanga (Nkambule), Cunha
Coach: Jomo Sono
Goal scorer: Helton Cunha
MVP Award: Helton Cunha

Semifinals - Abha - (August 22, 2004)
Jomo Cosmos 0 Raja Casablanca 1 (After Extra Time)
Cosmos: Phali; Hodgskin, Tsotetsi, Gould, Mohlala; Ntsume, T. Mokoena (capt), Sephadi (Mhlathe), Lekgothoane (Motlhajwa); Cunha, Tshimanga
Coach: Jomo Sono

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