Orlando Pirates remained unbeaten in the CAF Champions League group stages after a 1-1 draw against Stade d'Abidjan on Saturday evening.
Pirates made only one change from their draw against Al Ahly, as Mohau Nkota took the place of Monnapule Saleng, who was not in the squad, along with Patrick Maswanganyi and joined Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa and Deon Hotto in attack.
The Buccaneers started on the front foot and threatened in the early stages, mainly through Mofokeng, who had two chances in succession in the box, but fired across goal and over the crossbar after a mistake by goalkeeper Drissa Bamba.
The Soweto giants continued to pressurize Stade d'Abidjan and on the half-hour mark Nkota had an opportunity after he was released by Makgopa but his shot was smothered by Bamba.
The hosts started to get out of their defensive shell towards the end of the first stanza but they could not trouble goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
As the game stretched, Jose Riveiro's charges eventually went ahead on the stroke of half-time after Makgopa dispatched a penalty on the wrong side of Bamba, after Mofokeng was brought down in the box.
The game opened up after that and shortly before the hour-mark, Makgopa had a big chance to restore the lead for the Soweto giants after going clear on goal but he was denied by Bamba in a one-on-one.
The Bafana Bafana striker was eventually substituted moments later and replaced by Tshegofatso Mabasa for fresh legs up top.
Pirates were pressurizing The Les Yeyes in closing stages, as Karim Kimvuidi came on for Makhehlene Makhaula in an attacking change.
The Buccaneers wasted some chances towards the end while the hosts were also unable to convert in second-half stoppage time as the game ended all square.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sesane, Sibisi, Mako, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Hotto, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Monyane, Timm, Gilberto, Dlamini, Maela, Rasebotja, Kimvuidi, Mabasa.