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Ghana striker Anas Mohammed scored a sensational freekick to earn a 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates in an entertaining Absa Premiership match at James Motlatsi Stadium on Saturday evening.
The victory lifted his side's out of the relegation zone and into 13th place on 22 points.
Stars claimed the lead with a brilliantly-taken goal as early as the fourth minute: Nhlanhla Vilakazi picked out a great pass for Moeketsi Sekola, who controlled the long ball beautifully before firing past Benson Mhlongo to make it 1-0.
Nine minutes later former Orlando Pirates player Paulus Masehe made it 2-0. The veteran Ea Lla Koto skipper scored with a glancing header from Sinethemba Jantjie’s free kick delivery to put the hosts in complete control.
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Pirates got one back midway through the first half: Thembinkosi Lorch’s shot was deflected off a defender, cleared off the line by Rooi Mahamutsa, only for the ball to rebound again off the back of goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni and cross the line for an own goal.
But just when Bucs thought they were back in the game, Anas scored a magnificent goal with a shot from outside the box which nestled in the top corner - 3-1 to Ea Lla Koto inside 29 minutes.
Pirates again fought back in the dying stages of the first half to make it 3-2: Oupa Manyisa was brought down in the box by Makhehlene Makhaula and Tendai Ndoro converted from the spot for his first goal in 2017.
Anas became an internet sensation overnight when he thanked both his wife and his girlfriend in a post-match interview.