Orlando Pirates rallied from behind to secure a 2-1 win over ten-man Stellenbosch FC in their MTN8 semi-final first leg on Sunday afternoon.
Young Relebohile Mofokeng dropped out of the starting line-up as Deon Hotto was recalled following Pirates' over Cape Town City, while Sihle Ndluli and Qobolwakhe Sibande were recalled by Stellies coach Steve Barker.
The Buccaneers were promising on the attack and fancied the lead early on when a ferocious drive from a tight angle by Patrick Maswanganyi hit the outside of the net.
The Maroons' needed to be changed after they were reduced to ten men when Thabo Moloisane got a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Maswanaganyi past the half-hour mark.
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Pirates looked to make the most of the man advantage where a glancing header from Monnapule Saleng drew a spectacular stop from Sage Stephens following Zakhelele Lepasa's cross.
The ball did roll in the net on the stroke of halftime as a snap-shot from Hotto ricochet off Lepasa en-route to goal, but it was disallowed with the latter having strayed offside.
However, the Maroons were ahead against the run of play when Ismael Toure rose high to head in a corner-kick at the far post and brought the first half to a close.
Stellies added a double change after halftime, with Iqraam Rayners sacrificed for Athenkosi Mcaba while Genino Palace was hauled on ahead of Andre de Jong.
The Buccaneers showed patience midway through the half and levelled when Maswanangyi send in a pin-point cross from the left where Lepasa positioned perfectly to head in.
It was pretty even thereafter, although though the Buccaneers claimed the winner in additional time after Hotto charged on the end of Maswanganyi's floated ball and found the bottom corner.
The reigning champions carry a healthy advantage to the return-leg which is set for September 24th leaving the work cut out for Stellies.
Confirmed line-ups:
Stellenbosch: Stephens, Toure, Basadien, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Moloisane, Adams, Nduli, Sibande, De Jong, Rayners
Subs: Langeveldt, Mphahlele, Mcaba, Palace, Mgaga, Sekgota, Van Wyk, Oura, Boji
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Mako, Monare, Ndlondlo, Saleng, Hotto, Maswanganyi, Lepasa
Subs: Ofori, Maela, Ndah, Monyane, Timm, Otladisa, Mofokeng, Marou, Erasmus
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