For his important Soweto derby goal, Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa has been lauded for silencing critics while producing results for the team.
Makgopa has emerged as Bucs' main striker in recent matches after impressing coach Jose Riveiro with his work-rate following a slow start to the season.
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The 23-year-old started the last five matches in the league as Zakhele Lepasa is still fighting to make his way back to the starting eleven after recovering from injury.
In some of the matches, sections of the Buccaneers' supporters appeared to be impatient with Makgopa when he didn't score although Riveiro stood by him, with the forward also getting support from those associated with the club.
The towering player has also received a late Bafana Bafana call-up as a replacement for French-based Lebo Mothiba for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda respectively.
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Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, former Pirates striker James Mothibi is delighted for Makgopa's progress and has offered him advice.
"I knew that Makgopa was going to score. I sent a message to one of the employees in the Pirates office before the game and I predicted a victory for the team. I even told him that the score would be 1-0 and that Makgopa was going to be the goalscorer. Why did I choose Makgopa? I chose Makgopa because God looks after those who are pressurised by people who do not have patience on certain individuals. I knew that the boy would prove them wrong, and he did. Those who hate him and those who were booing him were celebrating on Saturday. Like I said previously, Makgopa must just focus on what Pirates brought him for and score those goals," he said.
