Bush Bucks had a player sent off at the end of the first half but doubled their efforts in the second half to collect three points with a hard-fought 2-1 win against Kaizer Chiefs at Ellis Park on Saturday night.

Bucks’ Rabi Nkoane was sent for an early shower following his boots and all tackle on Stanton Fredericks but Chiefs probably forgot they were playing against a side with a man short, as they could not use the extra man to their advantage.

In fact it was Bucks who looked as though they had more players on the field. The Umtata side started the second half like a house on fire and Chiefs battled to cope with the number of crosses delivered in their area.

Clement Mazibuko gave the Chiefs defenders a torrid evening trying to close him down.

Chiefs defender Gary Goldstone nearly earned the wrath of the Amakhosi supporters as he allowed Wilfred Mugeyi space to maneuver minutes into the game but he was temporarily forgiven as the Silver Fox fired wide.

The man who plotted the downfall of Amakhosi on the night was Naturena reject Dennis Vukubi as he capitalised on a neat pass from Mazibuko and hammered the ball on the top right corner to silence the home crowd.

Mazibuko was also instrumental in creating the second goal as he beat Goldstone for pace and laid the ball to John Maduka who did not wait for a second invitation to blast the ball into the net.

Sensing defeat, Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral introduced Rene Richards for Goldstone in the 77th minute and David Kannemeyer for Mthembu two minutes before the end.

The Chiefs of old came to life in the first half, showing hunger and playing with determination but their finishing had still not improved. Stanton Fredericks made a comeback after a long layoff and provided inspiration.

Defender Isaac Mabotsa was uncompromising in his defensive duties as he left nothing to chance.

Niemach had the ball in the net in 63 minutes and as he was celebrating the linesman reminded him that his would not count, as he was offside. The "goal" came following some frantic moments in the goalmouth with Fredericks taking a shot at goal only for Mgwigwi to clear from the goal line.

Six minutes later another opportunity went into the waste basket as

inspirational winger Arthur Zwane blasted his shot across the goalmouth with the Bucks keeper clearly beaten.

Veteran midfielder Thabo Mooki reduced the deficit with a spectacular goal in the 88th minute but that effort came a little too late as Bucks held on to the lead to storm out of Ellis Park with full points.

Chiefs are now with a victory in eight matches and and have collected only four points out of a possible 24 and it would take a miracle for the Naturena side to lift the championship.

Teams:

Kaizer Chiefs: 1-Fernandez, 5-Mabedi, 29-Goldstone (Richards 78th), 25-Mthembu (Kannemeyer 88th), 24-Mabotsa, 27-Sibeko (9-Maselesele 46th), 18-Zwane, 12-Mooki, 28-Mbuthu, 20-Niemach, 10-Fredericks.

Bush Bucks: 37-Yashe, 23-Buthelezi, 15-Nkoane, 21-Mpofu, 26-Mgwigwi, 12-Maduka, 17-Siphika, 14-Mokoena, 20-Mazibuko, 10-Mugeyi, 11-Vukubi.