“I would like to use this opportunity to thank God,” Kaizer Chiefs striker Siphelele Mthembu reacted after having scored his first official goal in the Amakhosi jersey. And that in the Soweto Derby against his former club Orlando Pirates.

Chiefs coach Baxter said about Mthembu’s goal: “I was patient with Siphelele during the last few months, because I could see the form he showed at training, which was much more than he did in the matches so far.”

Another reason that Mthembu gained the respect of his coach is that the 27-year-old often stays behind after training to work at his finishing - left, right and heading - usually with a few teammates joining, including the experienced Josta Dladla.

Before the striker came on as substitute against the Buccaneers, the coach told Mthembu “to keep making runs behind the defender”. And so he did, as a model professional.

“We deserved to get that second goal,” noted Mthembu. “It was great to see the ball hitting the back of the net. I was excited, above all, because I followed the coach’s instructions and it worked.”

About the long wait for his first Chiefs goal in an official league or cup match, Mthembu said philosophically: “I have learnt in life that there must be a negative before a positive.”