Orlando Pirates hit by old boy in defeat to Platinum Stars

03 May 2016 - 09:54 By TSHEPANG MAILWANE at Royal Bafokeng Stadium

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 Orlando Pirates' fans and beat his chest to celebrate a second-half goal that inspired a 2-1 Premier Soccer League victory over his former club here last night.It clearly felt good. This is a player who was ridiculed at Bucs for the glorious opportunities he wasted in front of goal, but maybe what he needed was patience from the fans because he did show signs of promise.Now, at a time when Bucs' fans have been worshipping Tendai Ndoro for his form, Mabena was showing that he, too, has similar qualities as he scored four minutes into the second half in an important victory that boosts Dikwena's chances of finishing third.Ndoro, on the other hand, was nowhere to be found because he was kept quiet by central defenders Thabiso Semenya and Gift Sithole, who scored Stars' opening goal in the seventh minute.It was Semenya's first appearance since his wife tragically died in a car accident that he was also involved in two months ago. He hardly put a foot wrong and it was a performance he would have surely dedicated to his wife.Stars came into this game on the back of some disappointing results, losing three and drawing one of their last four matches before last night's encounter.They did not enjoy a great deal of the possession but it did not seem to worry them much. What was impressive was they hardly lost shape and did not panic, except when Pirates pulled one back 17 minutes from time.Dikwena lost the ball in central midfield, allowing Thamsanqa Gabuza to run in and force a save out of Mbongeni Mzimela. The rebound fell for Sifiso Myeni to pull one back.Pirates fans kept calling for coach Eric Tinkler to bring on winger Thabo Qalinge and their wish was granted 10 minutes from time. But there was very little the former Black Aces player could do to salvage the situation.So Pirates were reminded that dominance in football means nothing if you cannot score goals.They had the possession, but were let down by bad decisions in the final third, and some good defending by Stars...

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