Orlando Pirates have been eliminated from the Carling Knockout following a 3-2 loss to newly-promoted Magesi FC at Saturday afternoon.
Deano Van Rooyen, Selaelo Rasebotja, Karim Kimvuidi, Kabelo Dlamini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Tshegofatso Mabasa returned for the Buccaneers after the MTN8 triumph over Stellenbosch FC before the international break.
Kimvuidi displayed a lot of energy on the ball in the earlier stages and were close to break the deadlock through a shot from the edge of the box, but he fired way over.
The opportunities continued to come for the host around the midway point and a string of forward passes opened up Monnapule Saleng on the far side who then curled wide of the top corner.
Magesi were energised after the water-break and got in front when a perfectly weighted cross from the left picked out Delano Abrahams at the far post to nod into the top corner.
Further heartache befell the Buccaneers five minutes before halftime after Thabiso Sesane redirected a low-weighted cross from Tshepo Kakora into his own net.
Sesane's outing got worse on the stroke of the interval where he brought down Deolin Mekoa, handing the visitors a penalty, which Edmore Chirambadare scored on the rebound after Sipho Chaine saved the initial spot-kick.
Pirates responded with a substitution at start of the second half in the form of development graduate Mohau Nkota ahead of Saleng.
Extensive amount of pressure by the Buccaneers whereby the self-same Nkota attempted to find the top corner with a scorching left-curler, but Elvis Chipezeze parried.
Additional firepower from the Sea Robbers over 12 minutes from the break saw Patrick Maswanganyi in for Rasebotja and Evidence Makgopa on for Kimvuidi.
Frustrations continued for the host who launched countless attacks and had a first-time shot from close-range by Mabasa nestle the top of the woodwork.
Pirates had a glimmer of hope five minutes before time when Nkota laid a loose ball on the edge of the area into the path of Kabelo Dlamini to riffle in the bottom-corner.
The comeback loomed as quick bit of play following a throw-in saw Makgopa cut into the area and fired in off a defensive challenge.
Drama unfolded in added time when Nkota tucked in following a goal-mouth scramble, but it was called back for offside as the visitors secured victory and passage to the quarter-finals.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Sibisi, Sesane, Van Rooyen, Hotto, Rasebotja, Dlamini, Kimvuidi, Mofokeng, Saleng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Monyane, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Nkota, Moleleki, Gilberto, Makgopa
Magesi: Chipezeze, Mashigo, Darpoh, Mzava, Mokone, Mekoa, Mokone, Charimbandare, Abrahams, Kokora, Makhubu.
Subs: Mpandle, Mokhele, Sekgota, Buthelezi, Manzini, Ndwandwe, Rademeyer, Masegela, Matima