Orlando Pirates winger Thabiso Lebitso has opened up on his wonder strike against Kaizer Chiefs and the Soweto derby, an effort that would be awarded the DStv Premiership Goal of the Season.
The 28-year-old was a surprise arrival from Chippa United in January but wasted no time in making his presence felt.
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The tenacious wingback received his first start for Pirates in one of the most historic fixtures on the African football calendar – the Soweto Derby, which the men in Black and White went on to win 3-2 after trailing 2-1 at half-time.
"I didn't expect that at all, I don't want to lie," Lebitso said in the latest episode of BucsCamp Season two, which aired on Sunday.
"Growing up in the Vaal, obviously, that's the best moment of your life, to play in the Soweto Derby.
"I felt ready, but obviously the butterflies were there, knowing that 95,000 people were watching and it's your first start."
Thabiso Lebitso cooked up a spectacular goal in the Soweto Derby that won him the #DStvPrem Goal of the Month for February - March ??
— BabizeBonke_ZA (@BabizeBonke_ZA) April 8, 2024
Congratulations to the @orlandopirates player ???? pic.twitter.com/C5Lfke0t11
With Pirates 2-1 down in the second half, Lebitso received the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a venomous shot that rattled the crossbar before going in to level the scoreline.
Saleng added his second of the match and a third for Pirates with just over 20 minutes to play.
"It was the highlight, the top, top of my career, to score a beautiful goal like that, not knowing that it would be one of the biggest goals in the history of the Soweto Derby," Lebitso added.
"The goal was voted best goal of the month, which was the best moment of my career, to be honest.
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"I did well for my previous team. Obviously signing for Pirates, not knowing that I would play that soon. You know, I was telling myself that maybe I will play maybe next season or something.
"But things moved very fast for me to get myself paying in the Soweto Derby, scoring goals, assisting."
Lebitso made 11 appearances for the Buccaneers and has proven to be one of the side's key players.