Orlando Pirates have been knocked out of the CAF Champions League following a penalty shoot-out loss to Jwaneng Galaxy on Friday night.
Nkosinathi Sibisi and Thabang Monare returned to the starting eleven after Pirates' loss to Stellenbosch FC in the MTN8 semi-finals, while Kermit Erasmus was a given a start in the attacj.
Pirates were desperate to get the ball rolling early on as Zakhele Lepasa went on a mazy run from a tight angle in and around the danger area and cut inside before going over the top.
Lepasa was on the mend again a few minutes gone where he managed to get a yard of space to draw a save from Galaxy Goitsene Phoko with a penetrative header.
The Buccaneers kept coming at the visitors towards the half-hour mark, with Monare closing in through a long-range drive before Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo slammed Erasmus' layoff wide.
Jwaneng battled to come in their own and had Phoko thwart Patrick Maswanganyi's probing effort after the winger pulled a sharp turn in the area.
Pirates turned attention to the bench ahead of the second half, with Karim Kimvuidi on for Ndlondlo before Maswanganyi's attempted chip minutes in had Phoko in two minds.
There were more changes from the Buccaneers after 60 minutes, as Bandile Shandu replaced James Monyane before Lepasa went off for Evidence Makgopa.
The latter made an impact six minutes later when his snap shot from a clever position wrong-footed Phoko and went over the line following a deflection.
Jwaneng were totally on the back-foot thereafter as the Sea Robbers nearly went ahead in the overall sequence of the match when Erasmus' rasping shot outside the area clattered the woodwork.
With full-time beckoning, the Buccaneers got another chance as Makgopa's header from Hotto's cross hit the top of the net.
As a penalty shoot-out loomed, Pirates made a goalkeeping change in Richard Ofori for Sipho Chaine and thus spot-kicks followed.
Pirates didn't make the spot-kicks count as a sole miss from Relebohile Mofokeng proved decisive and saw Benson Mangolo convert the final kick to send Jwaneng to the group stages.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mako, Monyane, Sibisi, Xoki, Ndlondlo, Monare, Maswanganyi, Hotto, Lepasa, Erasmus
Subs: Ofori, Ndah, Mofokeng, Shandu, Kimvuidi, Kapinga, Makgopa, Saleng, Timm
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