Platinum Stars midfielder Mogakolodi Ngele had every right to blame his defenders for ruining one of the greatest nights of his life.
The Botswana international, who spent the better part of this season warming the bench under previous coach Allan Freese, scored the third hat-trick of the season after Sibusiso Vilakazi and Eleazar Rodgers as Dikwena drew 3-3 with Orlando Pirates in a thrilling Absa Premiership match here last night.
Ngele, the man who scored a brilliant brace to sink the Buccaneers in the 2013 Telkom Knockout final, netted all his goals from outside the box. However his incredible performance was overshadowed by ignominious defending from his teammates, who contrived to give away the lead on three occasions and settle for a draw.
The playmaker's first goal was struck after the half hour mark, Ngele beating Bucs goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo with a sweet left footed long range strike.
Mpho Makola equalised on the stroke of half time for the hosts. Stars keeper Kabelo Dambe had come off his line to try and clear the ball to safety, but did not get to it - thanks in part to a misplaced clearance by a teammate - and Makola pounced, slotting the ball into an empty net.
But it was Dikwena who went into the break with the lead from a Ngele set piece. The player curled it brilliantly into the net, giving Mhlongo no chance.
Again Stars were let down by defending early in the second period, allowing Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa to get into the box and score at the near post.
Ngele completed his hat-trick with a magnificent strike after the hour mark, running with the ball for a few metres before unleashing a powerful shot which gave substitute Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane no chance. He had been given too much room by the hosts.
Ngele had not scored a league goal before last night.
He must have thought he had done enough to help his side secure a second straight win after the victory against Ajax Cape Town at weekend, but the Dikwena defence let the star performer down again.
Dambe came off his line after a corner kick was taken and Pirates midfielder Issa Sarr got in front of him and headed the ball into the net. Stars remained 11th in the standings, while Pirates are fourth.
Bucs pass Ngele test
Platinum Stars midfielder Mogakolodi Ngele had every right to blame his defenders for ruining one of the greatest nights of his life.
The Botswana international, who spent the better part of this season warming the bench under previous coach Allan Freese, scored the third hat-trick of the season after Sibusiso Vilakazi and Eleazar Rodgers as Dikwena drew 3-3 with Orlando Pirates in a thrilling Absa Premiership match here last night.
Ngele, the man who scored a brilliant brace to sink the Buccaneers in the 2013 Telkom Knockout final, netted all his goals from outside the box. However his incredible performance was overshadowed by ignominious defending from his teammates, who contrived to give away the lead on three occasions and settle for a draw.
The playmaker's first goal was struck after the half hour mark, Ngele beating Bucs goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo with a sweet left footed long range strike.
Mpho Makola equalised on the stroke of half time for the hosts. Stars keeper Kabelo Dambe had come off his line to try and clear the ball to safety, but did not get to it - thanks in part to a misplaced clearance by a teammate - and Makola pounced, slotting the ball into an empty net.
But it was Dikwena who went into the break with the lead from a Ngele set piece. The player curled it brilliantly into the net, giving Mhlongo no chance.
Again Stars were let down by defending early in the second period, allowing Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa to get into the box and score at the near post.
Ngele completed his hat-trick with a magnificent strike after the hour mark, running with the ball for a few metres before unleashing a powerful shot which gave substitute Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane no chance. He had been given too much room by the hosts.
Ngele had not scored a league goal before last night.
He must have thought he had done enough to help his side secure a second straight win after the victory against Ajax Cape Town at weekend, but the Dikwena defence let the star performer down again.
Dambe came off his line after a corner kick was taken and Pirates midfielder Issa Sarr got in front of him and headed the ball into the net. Stars remained 11th in the standings, while Pirates are fourth.
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