Bush Bucks escaped slaughter when they drew 2-2 with Kaizer Chiefs in a dull Castle Premiership match in front of a paltry crowd at the 90 000 capacity FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Eastern Cape visitors were promised all sorts of humiliation by the Chiefs but instead Bucks played their hearts out and gave Chiefs a scare when they were the first to rattle the net.
Chiefs promised to skin Bucks in celebration of the club’s MD Kaizer Motaung, who turned 60-years old.
However, it was not to be. Bucks striker Mhlonishwa Mbambo nodded home in the 30th minute.
That was two minutes after the dreadlocked striker had been yellow-carded by referee Jonas Nhlapho.
John Moshoeu whose shot shaved the cross-bar in the second minute equalised in the 44th minute — much to the relief of his club’s troubled Chiefs fans.
They saw red when Mhlonishwa put his side ahead. Half time score was 1-1.
Bucks reclaimed their lead in the 57th minute when Edmore Mashire nodded past the bemused ‘keeper Rowen Fernadez.
Chiefs smelt danger and began showing some sense of urgency midway through the hour mark. Their efforts were rewarded when Thabo Mooki equalised in the 62nd minute.
Arthur Zwane was the provider.
Bucks’ keeper Dikete Tampungu was in no man’s land when Mooki easily pushed the ball inside an unguarded posts.
Chiefs started bombarding Bucks with shots from all angles – something that they should have done from the on set.
Kabamba Musasa, who replaced David Radebe in the 77th minute, came close with his first touch, a header but Phillip Wire cleared before the ball crossed the line in the 85th minute.
Again, Tampungu, was nowhere to be seen but Chiefs strike force failed to punish him.
Chiefs badly missed Collins Mbesuma. The free scoring Zambian had not returned from home after scoring a hat-trick when Zambia pipped Congo 3-2 in the qualifier for the World Cup 2006 in Germany.
The fifth-placed Chiefs have still to lose a game after four matches while Bucks, who are languishing second from the bottom of the table added their second draw from eight matches.
Chiefs have amassed 10 points while Bucks have only four points in their bag. – Sapa