OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Wednesday 3.20pm.
SUNDOWNS coach Paul Dolezar boasted this week that the Castle Premiership title race might be over by Christmas, but if his team continue to play like they did in midweek they may not even be in the lead by then.
Bush Bucks, second last on the standings, were not expected to cause the new Rothmans Cup holders too many problems, even if they did enjoy home advantage at the Independence Stadium.
Well, football sure is a funny game because Bucks triumphed 4-1 and, with Orlando Pirates winning 2-0 at Mother City, Sundowns are just three points ahead of the Buccaneers with Kaizer Chiefs in third spot.
Goalkeeper John Tlale, who pipped Brian Baloyi of Chiefs for a place in the Bafana Bafana African Nations Cup squad this week, had the unusual experience of picking the ball from his net three times during the first half.
Former Vaal Professionals striker Rabbi Nkoane struck twice and Zuelivanzi Sindile once and even after Marc Batchelor reduced the deficit, Bucks scored again through Clement Mazibuko.
Success for the Eastern Cape was all the more remarkable because Nkoane was harshly ordered off just before half-time by referee Jeff Motsomai following a second booking.
Pirates left it late to clinch maximum points against bottom-of-the-table Mother City in Cape Town with Sibusiso Zuma scoring in injury time to complete a 2-0 victory.
The second half of a double header at Athlone Stadium produced a surprise 2-1 triumph for Rothmans Cup runners-up Free State Stars over Ajax Cape Town with David Dhlamini scoring twice for the visitors.
Gavin Lane began his career as AmaZulu coach with a satisfactory 1-1 draw away to Durban rivals Manning Rangers. An early Elasto Lungu goal for the Uusthu cancelled by Bruce Ramokadi before half-time.