Orlando Pirates advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup play-off round with a 1-0 win over Diables Noirs at Orlando Stadium on Sunday evening.
Pirates made three changes from their goalless stalemate against Maritzburg United, as Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama and Wayde Jooste got rare starts alongside the return of Goodman Mosele.
The Buccaneers were putting Diables under pressure in the opening exchanges, especially with crosses inside the box and Terrence Dzvukamanja thought he had given them the lead in the seventh minute after finishing off a cut-back by Linda Mntambo but the goal was disallowed for offside.
The hosts continued to threaten with successive corners and Happy Jele eventually gave them the lead and also on aggregate with a towering header from a corner.
The Congolese side were growing in the game towards the half-hour mark, but shot-stopper Siyabonga Mpontshane and his defence did well to deal with the threats just before the halftime break.
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The hosts were asking Diables questions early in the second stanza but they could not create clear chances as they look to pull clear in the tie.
The Buccaneers made a double change in the 67th minute, as Tshegofatso Mabasa came on for Dzvukamanja in an attacking move upfront and Abel Mabaso replaced Jooste at the back.
The Soweto giants were wary of conceding an away goal, which could knock them out, as they defended in numbers in the closing stages.
Diables had a penalty appeal turned down in the last minute and Deon Hotto had a one-on-one with the last defender from a counter-attack in stoppages but he could not get past him, although the Buccaneers held on to progress 1-0 on aggregate.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pirates: Mpontshane, Jele, Sam, Mngonyama, Mako, Monare, Mosele, Jooste, Makaringe, Mntambo, Dzvukamanja.
Subs: Thuntsane, Shandu, Zungu, Hlatshwayo, Mabaso, Makgaka, Hotto, Mabasa