Cavin Johnson hailed new signing Gerald Phiri after scoring a brace during Platinum Stars’ 3-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic at the Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday.

READ: Platinum Stars ease past Celtic

The Malawian, who was signed from Bidvest Wits in January, smashed in two free kicks to give his side a 2-0 lead. Bongi Ntuli rounded off the scoring to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory for Stars.

The Dikwena coach paid tribute to the set-piece specialist and revealed that he encouraged the left winger to shoot for goal.

‘Phiri has been working hard at training, practicing free-kicks. In other matches, he has been floating them and I told him, just put the ball in the net. He hit the free-kicks and they both went in. Well done to him,’ Johnson told the Platinum Stars website. 

Johnson believes that his side has been playing well but results have just not gone their way in 2017.

‘Since the beginning of the year, we have been playing well but things didn’t go our way,’ he said.

The Stars coach was pleased with the attitude his team showed and was glad that they could finally reap the rewards of their hard work.

‘This is what Platinum Stars is made of. They know where they have been. They know when they were second. They know when they were third and they know when they were 14. They know how to fight. Today the ball was on our side and we scored the goals,’ he added.

The former SuperSport United boss believes that his team could’ve been more ruthless against their opponents but was relieved that his team could finally come away with a victory.

‘We scored two early goals, took the foot off the pedal and allowed them to come at us but we defended well. We are happy that we got the three points. We have been waiting for a win for a long time.’ Johnson concluded.

Platinum Stars host Chippa United at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday evening.

Kick-off has been set for 20:00.