“It WAS not easy,” Platinum Stars defender Thabiso Semenya said on Monday after his first appearance since his wife was killed in a car accident almost two months ago.
Not for one second on the pitch did it look like Semenya had been affected by the death of his life partner, Thandeka Nzimakwe.
Alongside Gift Sithole, he defended well and played an integral part in Stars’ 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates.
The 33-year-old dedicated his performance to his wife after returning to the pitch and doing what he enjoys most.
“I got support from my family and my teammates. They always encouraged me, but it still was not easy. I would dedicate it to my wife,” he said.
“The coach asked me three games ago if I am ready to play and I said not yet.
“But in this game Isaac was suspended and the coach asked me to help the team and I said ‘no problem’.
“The coach and I have a father and son relationship.”
Semenya had not been part of the match squad for the Chiefs game two months ago and had driven independently to the ground to watch his teammates.
On his way there he was overtaking a truck, driving slowly in the yellow lines on the highway near the stadium when another car tried to pass on his right, but struck Semenya’s vehicle and forced it into a vicious swerve.
His wife was flung from the car as it overturned and it landed on top of her, killing her instantly.
Johnson praised Semenya and the team for defending so well against Bucs.
“Credit has to go to him as well. It was difficult and we were always asking when we should bring him in because the accident happened here before the game against Chiefs.
“And you don’t know if that affects him positively or negatively.
“He is doing a lot of work outside football to help him cope with this time in his life.
“We hope that it helps him so that he can carry on playing football.”
Looking at the game as a whole, Johnson said: “We defended very well and we took our chances.
“The boys need to take credit. We have performed well as a team this season.”
After the defeat, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said: “We are disappointed to lose here because we have been on a good run. We need to maintain the consistency. There’s no need to take the foot off the pedal.”
Aces hold Wits 2-2 to lift Downs’ chances
Not for one second on the pitch did it look like Semenya had been affected by the death of his life partner, Thandeka Nzimakwe.
Alongside Gift Sithole, he defended well and played an integral part in Stars’ 2-1 victory over Orlando Pirates.
The 33-year-old dedicated his performance to his wife after returning to the pitch and doing what he enjoys most.
“I got support from my family and my teammates. They always encouraged me, but it still was not easy. I would dedicate it to my wife,” he said.
“The coach asked me three games ago if I am ready to play and I said not yet.
“But in this game Isaac was suspended and the coach asked me to help the team and I said ‘no problem’.
“The coach and I have a father and son relationship.”
Semenya had not been part of the match squad for the Chiefs game two months ago and had driven independently to the ground to watch his teammates.
On his way there he was overtaking a truck, driving slowly in the yellow lines on the highway near the stadium when another car tried to pass on his right, but struck Semenya’s vehicle and forced it into a vicious swerve.
His wife was flung from the car as it overturned and it landed on top of her, killing her instantly.
Johnson praised Semenya and the team for defending so well against Bucs.
“Credit has to go to him as well. It was difficult and we were always asking when we should bring him in because the accident happened here before the game against Chiefs.
“And you don’t know if that affects him positively or negatively.
“He is doing a lot of work outside football to help him cope with this time in his life.
“We hope that it helps him so that he can carry on playing football.”
Looking at the game as a whole, Johnson said: “We defended very well and we took our chances.
“The boys need to take credit. We have performed well as a team this season.”
After the defeat, Pirates coach Eric Tinkler said: “We are disappointed to lose here because we have been on a good run. We need to maintain the consistency. There’s no need to take the foot off the pedal.”
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