Orlando Pirates defeated Cape Town Spurs 2-0 to secure their place in Carling Knockout quarter-finals on Friday night.
Thembinkosi Lorch made a long-awaited return to the line-up alongside Evidence Makgopa and Olisa Ndah, while Monnapule Saleng and Zakhele Lepasa missed out.
It was a brave opening from the visitors early on when a loose ball from the head of Ndah following a cross bounced around the danger area before Morne Nel entered and slammed his volley wide.
Pirates were the closest to go ahead midway in the second half after a pin-point header by Tapelo Xoki from Patrick Maswanganyi's corner-kick hit the bottom of the post.
The Buccaneers needed to bring in a new man in goal following the half-hour mark after Sipho Chaine sustained a knock from a challenge, which saw Melusi Buthelezi enter for his debut.
Pirates continued to have moments though and were denied the lead when Naseer Allie smothered a low teasing effort from Deon Hotto off the goal-line with goalkeeper Zama Dlamini out of position.
Jose Riveiro's men continued on the attack minutes in the second half and had Ndah head off the post after attacking a pin-point corner.
The Buccaneers were rewarded on 61 minutes as Dlamini spilled a shot before bringing down Makgopa to concede a penalty which Xoki tucked away to make it 1-0.
Dlamini battled with cramps and was unable to carry on playing thus substitute goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom came on in his place.
Ramsbottom didn't have a settled entry as a slick passing move on the edge of the area saw Makgopa thread Kermit Erasmus in to round the defence and find the net.
The Urban Warriors introduced 17-year-old Luke Baartman around the closing stages before Paseka Mako and Karim Kimvuidi came on for the Buccaneers.
Pirates maintained the latter stages of the match to see out the win and confirmed a spot in the quarter-finals of the Carling Knockout.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Ndah, Shandu, Hotto, Timm, Monare, Maswanganyi, Makgopa, Lorch, Erasmus
Subs: Buthelezi, Sesane, Mako, Monyane, Makhaula, Baloni, Kimvuidi, Otladisa, Pule
Cape Town Spurs: Dlamini, Allie, Nel, Phewa, Buchanan, Thethani, Morton, Haukongo, Moosa, Dortley, Lukhubeni
Subs: Ramsbottom, Daniels, Moroole, Msani, Cupido, Mfecane, Butsaka, Baartman.You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.