Siyabonga Mabena produced one of the most devastating individual displays seen in the Benoni Derby in recent years, inspiring Old Bens to a commanding 4-0 victory over Benoni Northerns at Currin Park on June 27.

The in-form forward had a hand in every goal as Old Bens exacted sweet revenge for their 5-2 defeat earlier in the Eastern Super League season. Mabena’s dangerous early cross forced an own goal before he stole the show with a superb hat-trick to cap a breathtaking afternoon.

“It was a tough game. For me it was mainly personal because they beat us 5-2 in the first round. So, I had to come at them. This hat-trick was my payback,” said Mabena.

The striker, who scored 11 goals for Northerns’ SAFA regional league side before crossing the divide to join Old Bens, tormented his former club throughout. His intelligent movement, quick feet and clever runs constantly unsettled the visitors’ back four, which clearly missed Nyakallo Mokoena, out nursing a knee injury.

It did not take long for him to make his mark. After a bright start, Mabena burst down the left and whipped in a dangerous low cross that was turned into the net by a Northerns defender to hand the hosts the lead.

The match then descended into a scrappy affair, with clear-cut chances few and far between. But Ludick Malele brought it back to life when he almost equalised for Northerns when he ghosted between two defenders to meet a cross, but he poked his effort agonisingly wide.

Moments later, Mabena made no mistake. He curled a superb finish beyond the outstretched Andisa Hola to double Old Bens’ lead.

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Northerns responded immediately when Denzel Otora unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, but Neil Bouwer produced an excellent save to tip the ball onto the crossbar and away from danger.

Although the visitors enjoyed plenty of possession, Old Bens remained a constant threat on the counterattack. Mabena’s pace and movement repeatedly dragged defenders out of position, creating space for his teammates.

Josh Hurst squandered a golden opportunity from close range, but Mabena soon added his second after intercepting a back pass, taking two strides forward and calmly slotting past Hola to give the hosts a 3-0 halftime advantage.

Bouwer dealt comfortably with everything Northerns threw at him before the interval, ensuring Old Bens went into the break firmly in control.

The pattern continued after halftime. Northerns dominated possession, but Old Bens looked dangerous every time they broke forward, with Mabena, Hurst and Sphesihle Maseko leading the charge.

Hurst missed another good chance, while Sifundo Sibanyoni’s powerful long-range effort was parried by Bouwer into Malele’s path, only for the striker to see his follow-up strike rebound off the post.

Maseko also rattled the woodwork before Mabena completed his hat-trick with a well-taken header to seal a memorable victory and complete a performance in which he directly contributed to all four goals.

Asked what it meant to dismantle his former club, Mabena simply smiled.

“It felt awesome.”

Earlier, Liam Jordaan cancelled out Raymond Mokabane’s opener as the reserve sides played to a largely forgettable 1-1 draw.

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