Bush Bucks bounce back to defy odds

Soccer can be funny sometimes. Take the example of Bush Bucks, who have spent the better part of the season perched hopelessly at the foot of the table.

Yet, with two rounds of games left before the curtain falls on the current campaign, Imbabala might still end the season in the top eight.

Not so long ago, you would have been offered good odds if you backed Bucks to avoid relegation.

But things have changed and Professor Ngubane's men are 10th on the 16-team log, clear of relegation.

Bucks' ambition to play SAA Supa8 soccer next season is not going to be easy to realise as they have to beat Kaizer Chiefs, who they host in Port Elizabeth on Saturday night, and Orlando Pirates to end with 38 points. And even if they pull off those victories, they will still have to hope that Bloemfontein Celtic, Silver Stars and Golden Arrows collapse horribly in the run-in.

On Thursday, Bucks manager Nigel Dixon admitted that their recent turnaround has tempted them to start thinking of a top eight place.

"We believe we can do it, but the most important thing for us is to take every game as it comes and not get carried away," he said. Asked about the surprise recovery, Dixon praised coach Ngubane, who took over the club while it was in a crisis and led them to four wins and a draw.

"He too was the man who helped us to get promoted last season before he left us in the middle of the season.

"Most of the players that are here were recruited by him and he is able to work with them," said Dixon.

Looking ahead, the former club goalkeeper said playing against Chiefs was a motivation in itself.

"The players know what is expected of them and will hopefully respond positively.

"If you look at this situation properly, the pressure is on Chiefs because defeat might seriously hurt their championship ambitions," said Dixon, who reported a largely clean bill of health in his camp ahead of the Amakhosi's visit. Only striker Mahloniswa Mbambo is out through injury.

Chiefs coach Ted Dumitru will be without injured defender Cyril Nzama, who is out for the rest of the season. But all his other stars are available to make sure that they return home with three vital maximum points in their race with Pirates for the league championship.