Two first half goals from former Jomo Cosmos old boys Nkosinathi Nhleko and Reneilwe Letsholonyane were able to lift Kaizer Chiefs to a 2-1 victory over Ezenkosi in an Absa Premiership match played at the Rand Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Nhleko, who was looking for an impressive display against his old team and mentor Jomo Sono, struck after just two minutes to put Chiefs in front and Letsholonyane added a second in the 19th minute, putting Chiefs two goals ahead. Cosmos found a reply in the 27th minute of the match and also struck the Chiefs cross bar in the 70th minute but the Amakhosi managed to ride the pressure and held on for the three points.

After squandering a number of chances during their midweek loss to Bloemfontein Celtic, Chiefs were quick to capitalise on their goal scoring opportunities against Cosmos, and with the first half chance that came their way the Amakhosi were in front.

Nkosinathi Nhleko was brought down by Asando Mvalo and when Josta Dladla laid off the resulting free kick to Abia Nale in the Cosmos 18 yard area his quick pass forward was collected by Nhleko, who with his back towards goal turned two Cosmos defenders before striking the ball past Avril Phali.

Indeed Chiefs were able to keep possession and were the dominant team in the first half, partly because they did not give Cosmos the opportunity play their usual physical game, as the visitors? players did not hold onto the ball. Instead they moved it around a lot and had Cosmos chasing the ball, as well as having the confidence to take on the opposition, as was the case when Chiefs went two goals up in the 19th minute.

Abia Nale did well to keep the ball in play on the left touchline inside his own half and after beating a Cosmos player passed the ball up to the sprinting Kaizer Motaung Junior, who was able to pick out Nhleko lurking inside the Cosmos six yard area.

With two defenders trying to win the ball off him, Nhleko held up the ball and played it back to Letsholonyane, who connected with it from the edge of the 18 yard area and managed to beat Phali to double Chiefs? advantage.

Letsholonyane, though, did not finish the half as he had to be substituted after injuring himself when having a crack at goal in the 23rd minute. Cosmos, shortly after Letsholonyane?s departure, found a way back into the game.

Initially Thomas Sweseswe had blocked Bamuza Sono?s shot at goal. From the ensuing corner from the left, which Sono himself took, Chiefs lost concentration and an unmarked Thapelo Tshilo was able to halve the deficit by heading the ball past Chiefs keeper Bartman.

On 33 minutes Chiefs could easily have found a third goal. Abia Nale did all the hard work and was able to play a pass across the Cosmos goal to Nhleko, who with the goal at his mercy managed to fire the ball over Phali?s crossbar from a few yards out.

Ten minutes into the second half Chiefs needed to make another injury enforced substitution as Dominic Isaacs came in to replace Tshifiwa Mmbooi, who was the recipient of some harsh tackling.

Cosmos made more of a game of it in the second half and played like they were looking to find an equaliser. On 55 minutes Bongani Theletsane had Bartman scurrying back to push over his cross which ended up being an attempt on goal.

Three minutes later Bamuza Sono shot from 20 yards out through a crowded Chiefs penalty area to have Bartman down on his knees to make the save.

Cosmos? pressure on Chiefs? goal almost paid dividends when, with 20 minutes of time remaining, defender Thapelo Tshilo drove the ball hard from a free kick from more than 22 yards from goal and beat Bartman, only to come ricocheting off the crossbar.

Both Chiefs and Cosmos were in need of the win and throughout it looked like Chiefs wanted the three points more. For them it a much needed confidence booster as it propels them up the table and is also the Amakhosi?s first win against Cosmos in a league match since January 2005.

For Cosmos it is their second consecutive league defeat ? adding to that their last two defeats have both been at home. Ezenkosi need a serious morale lift in order to move up the Absa Premiership standings.