Orlando Pirates started their Betway Premiership campaign on a winning note after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Chippa United on Wednesday evening.
Pirates kept the same line-up from their win over Jwaneng Galaxy, as Relebohile Mofokeng, Monnapule Saleng and Patrick Maswanganyi were just behind lone striker Tshegofatso Mabasa up top.
Chippa, meanwhile, named debutant, former Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Andile Jali in the line-up, alongside former Buccaneers, Bienvenu Eva Nga and Craig Martin.
Jose Riveiro's charges were not given time and space on the ball in the opening exchanges by Chippa, who pressed them high.
The Chilli Boys' high paid off midway into the first stanza after Jali broke the deadlock with an unstoppable volley from a rebound outside of the box.
Pirates started to turn the Chippa defence with ten minutes left of the first stanza as Saleng had a chance after cutting inside the box but his shot was smothered by shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali from close-range.
The Soweto giants increased their intensity and Mabasa eventually equalised on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot, on the wrong side of Nwabali after Saleng was brought down in the box.
Riveiro's men were fired up from the interval, as three minutes later Mofokeng had a close-range shot at the near post saved by Nwabali.
However, after quiet period from both ends, midway into the second stanza Pirates made a double change, as Mofokeng was withdrawn for Thuso Moleleki for fresh legs and Kabelo Dlamini replaced Makhehlene Makhaula in an attacking change.
The Buccaneers had new energy going forward and with 13 minutes remaining, Saleng was unlucky not to make it 2-1 after his volley in the box was tipped into the crossbar by the Nigerian shot-stopper.
Chippa invited pressure by defending deep in the dying minutes and Maswanganyi almost snatched the winner for Pirates with a looping strike that was parried from just under the crossbar by Nwabali.
However, Nwabali was helpless in added time, as Saleng finally got the winner for the Buccaneers with a free header in the box from a cross by Deon Hotto.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Saleng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Maela, Rasebotja, Dlamini, Gilberto, Kimvuidi, Moleleki, Radiopane
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Modise, Konqobe, Makhele, Jali, Molaoa, Majogoro, Eva Nga, Kwayiba, Martin.
Subs: Johnson, Mqokozo, Chabalala, Ntsabo, Teto, Philander, Ndlovu, Sithole, Matrose.