An equaliser by Kaizer Chiefs defender Rodney Thobejane a minute into referee’s optional time ensured Bush Bucks were relegated from the Castle Premier Soccer League on Sunday.
Bucks held Chiefs to a 1-1 draw in front of a packed Telkom Park, but that was not good enough to ensure that they stayed in topflight football, after 14 years of campaigning.
After going to break with no score, Bucks midfielder Anele Zibi bulleted home a half-clearance by Chiefs defender Patrick Mabedi in the 57th minute.
The game was fiercely contested in the middle of the park, with Chiefs making rough tackles.
Bucks coach Trott Moloto was forced to pull out three of his players, Phistos Nekhalale for Vusi Boltina, Mukeba Mulumba for Shaun Haschick and Zibi for William Lerefole because of injuries.
Hashick gave the Bucks strike force the spark they were losing — only to miss a one-on-one opportunity with Chiefs goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe.
Having beaten a Chiefs off-side trap, he tried to dribble past the advancing goalie — only for Mabedi to arrive and clear the ball for a corner.
Bucks lost the sense of urgency they showed in the beginning of the game and allowed Chiefs’s substitute Kelvin Mushangazike to penetrate down the left flank.
A minute into optional time, Chiefs were awarded a free kick, on the left edge of the field.
Mushangazike curled it to the penalty area, leading to a goal-mouth scramble.
The ball landed in front of Thobejane who neatly placed it on the right corner of the goal post, sending Bucks players down in tears.
Bucks had to win the game with an avalanche of goals in order to survive relegation. -Sapa