It was a moment Ndumiso Mabena enjoyed so much.
As soon as the ball rattled the back of the net, the Platinum Stars striker ran towards the Orlando Pirates fans and beat his chest to celebrate a second half goal which inspired a 2-1 victory over his former club here last night.
It clearly felt good. This is a player who was ridiculed time and again for the glorious opportunities he wasted in front of goal, but maybe what he needed was patience from the Ghost because he did show signs of promise whenever he was given an opportunity.
Now, at a time when Bucs fans have been worshipping Tendai Ndoro for his recent form, Mabena was showing that he too has similar quality as he scored the second for Dikwena in an important Absa Premiership victory which boosts their chances of a third-place finish.
Ndoro, meanwhile, waskept out by central defenders Thabiso Semenya and Gift Sithole, the scorer of Stars' opener in the seventh minute.
It was Semenya's fourth league appearance of the season and his first since his wife tragically passed away in a car accident almost two months ago.
He hardly put a foot wrong at the heart of Dikwena's defence and it's a performance he would have surely dedicated to his wife. Semenya was calm, strong in the tackle and made sure that Ndoro did not get too much room to move or turn in the box.
Stars came into this game at the back of three losses and a draw in their last four matches.
Dikwena hardly lost shape and did not panic last night, except when Pirates pulled one back 17 minutes from time.
Thamsanqa Gabuza ran into Stars' half and forced a save out of Mbongeni Mzimela. The ball, however, fell to Sifiso Myeni who rammed home the rebound.
Pirates fans called for coach Eric Tinkler to bring on winger Thabo Qalinge and their wish was granted 10 minutes from time.
However, there was little the former Black Aces player could do to rescue the situation.
Pirates were reminded that dominance in football means absolutely nothing if you can't score goals. They enjoyed possession, but were let down by poor decision-making and good defending from Stars, who ended a run of three winless games.
Mabena gets the last laugh
It was a moment Ndumiso Mabena enjoyed so much.
As soon as the ball rattled the back of the net, the Platinum Stars striker ran towards the Orlando Pirates fans and beat his chest to celebrate a second half goal which inspired a 2-1 victory over his former club here last night.
It clearly felt good. This is a player who was ridiculed time and again for the glorious opportunities he wasted in front of goal, but maybe what he needed was patience from the Ghost because he did show signs of promise whenever he was given an opportunity.
Now, at a time when Bucs fans have been worshipping Tendai Ndoro for his recent form, Mabena was showing that he too has similar quality as he scored the second for Dikwena in an important Absa Premiership victory which boosts their chances of a third-place finish.
Ndoro, meanwhile, waskept out by central defenders Thabiso Semenya and Gift Sithole, the scorer of Stars' opener in the seventh minute.
It was Semenya's fourth league appearance of the season and his first since his wife tragically passed away in a car accident almost two months ago.
He hardly put a foot wrong at the heart of Dikwena's defence and it's a performance he would have surely dedicated to his wife. Semenya was calm, strong in the tackle and made sure that Ndoro did not get too much room to move or turn in the box.
Stars came into this game at the back of three losses and a draw in their last four matches.
Dikwena hardly lost shape and did not panic last night, except when Pirates pulled one back 17 minutes from time.
Thamsanqa Gabuza ran into Stars' half and forced a save out of Mbongeni Mzimela. The ball, however, fell to Sifiso Myeni who rammed home the rebound.
Pirates fans called for coach Eric Tinkler to bring on winger Thabo Qalinge and their wish was granted 10 minutes from time.
However, there was little the former Black Aces player could do to rescue the situation.
Pirates were reminded that dominance in football means absolutely nothing if you can't score goals. They enjoyed possession, but were let down by poor decision-making and good defending from Stars, who ended a run of three winless games.
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