Shaun Bartlett celebrated his 35th birthday in the best possible way on Wednesday when he was amongst the goal scorers for Chiefs as they strode home to a 3-0 win over Free State Stars in Rustenburg.

The 35-year-old striker might not have thought that his night would have ended in joy, as he started the night from the bench, though things turned around for him when he came on as a 58th minute substitute for David Obua. In injury time Bartlett got the perfect birthday gift and the wishes of his family on this special day for him came true, as he headed home Jimmy Tau’s cross. Straight after the game the Chiefs striker headed for the dressing room and was on the phone with his wife and family as he thanked them for their wishes, which most definitely brought him luck on Wednesday.

Now you see him

Shaun’s three sons at home in Johannesburg had told their dad earlier in the day that they would be watching the game with fingers crossed, hoping that his 35th birthday would be celebrated with him finding the back of the net.

They had even planned a special celebration based on a famous wrestler as Bartlett explains, “My boys really wanted me to score and when I did, I ran my four fingers across my face as that is a celebration usually done by a wrestler by the name of John Cena in the USA. It was to show them that I was thinking of them, as Cena would say 'you did not see that.'”

In the mix

The Chiefs striker was also pleased to have found the back of the net for the second time in the league this season. He does though say that it was easy for him to get the goal as he came into the game at a time when The Amakhosi were dominating proceedings.

“It is always easy to come in off the bench when the team are playing well; coming into a situation where the guys are chasing the game is more of a challenge. This situation was favourable for us as we were holding the upper hand against them, getting a goal is always great and I am happy to have added to my tally for the season.”