Orlando Pirates rising star Mohau Nkota reflected on scoring twice in his debut for the club in the CAF Champions League on Tuesday, calling it a dream come true.

Nkota netted two stunning strikes as Pirates defeated CR Belouizdad 2-1 in their Champions League group stage match in Algeria. The 20-year-old, who proved lethal when left unmarked, sprinted clear to score the first goal after being set up by teammate Relebohile Mofokeng. His second goal was a powerful shot into the top corner, completing his brace in the first half.

Although Pirates came under pressure in the second half, conceding a goal to South African international Khanyisa Mayo, they held on for a 2-1 victory.

“It’s hard to put into words what this means to me,” Nkota said emotionally after the game. “To score twice in such an important match is a dream come true. I’m just so grateful for everyone who believed in me and for this incredible club.”

This was Nkota’s second brace of the season, having previously scored two goals against bottom side AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership in October.

Pirates’ victory marked their first away win in the Champions League group stage in 10 years, with last coming against Al Ahly who they are hosting next weekend. They also sit atop the Betway Premiership with a perfect record of 21 points from seven matches.

However, Nkota’s journey to success has been far from easy. In March, he suffered a devastating neck injury while playing for the Pirates Diski Challenge squad against Kaizer Chiefs.

The severity of the injury was uncertain, and Nkota faced a long and uncertain recovery. Thabang Lepule, a club employee who was with Nkota throughout his ordeal, recalled the player’s fears and doubts about his future.

Nkota reflected on the challenging time: “It was one of the toughest moments of my life. I had recently started training with the first team, and I believe I was playing some of my best football at DDC. The injury came at the worst possible time. Here I am about to become a professional player, and this happens. During my four to five hours wait at the hospital, I had many thoughts coming into my head but fortunately through God’s grace, I overcame my situation. My return to playing was slow and taxing on me mentally because I had long dizzy spells and constant headaches.”

Despite the adversity, Nkota has defied expectations and proven his resilience. As Pirates continue their strong form, fans will be eager to see what more the talented young player can achieve.