Orlando Pirates overcame their first hurdle in the Nedbank Cup with a 1-0 win over AmaZulu in the Round of 32 at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
The Sea Robbers made three changes to their starting line-up from the sides' last meeting on December 23 with Kwanda Mngonyama, Innocent Maela, Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Ben Motshwari being replaced by Olisa Ndah, Happy Jele, Paseka Mako and Thabang Monare respectively.
Meanwhile, Benni McCarthy made four alterations as Sandile Khumalo, Repo Malepa, Augustine Mulenga and Mattar Ceesay came in to the starting XI for Thabo Qalinge, Thembela Sikhakhane, Samkelo Mgwazela and Philani Zulu.
Pirates had the first attempt on goal with two minutes gone when Kwame Peprah rose highest to meet Deon Hotto's cross but it was saved by Usuthu shot-stopper Veli Mothwa.
The Buccanneers threatened again soon afterwards. It was again Hotto who provided the delivery - from a corner - and Mothwa came off his line but missed the ball and it came to Goodman Mosele at the back post, whose close-range header went inches wide as a glorious opportunity went begging.
Bucs were making all of the play and Thembinkosi Lorch was having a significant impact on proceedings. He made inroads down the left flank and Mosele and Hotto combined to set up Ntsako Makhubela, but the former Golden Arrows man made a hash of the finish.
The hosts won a free-kick on the edge of the box in the 42nd minute after Makhubela was brought down and Hotto stepped up but curled his effort over the wall but comfortably over the bar.
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Pirates deservedly took the lead in the 53rd minute. Hotto received a short corner on the left and cut into the centre before playing a one-two with Monare, who flicked it beyond the AmaZulu defence and Hotto finished on the turn.
McCarthy's men were playing with more attacking impetus and Keagan Buchanan's cross from the right was just a little bit too high for the unmarked Bongi Ntuli.
Zakhele Lepasa and Fortune Makaringe were brought on by the Bucs braintrust for Peprah and Monare in the 68th minute.
With ten minutes to go, Lepasa made headway down the right-hand side and found Lorch in the box with a pinpoint delivery and Lorch was able to make contact with it on the stretch but unfortunately it was straight at Mothwa.
Lepasa was fired-up and keen to impress his coaches as he again was at the centre of things for Pirates when he cut inside from the left and played a one-two with Lorch before attempting a curler towards the far post but it was held on to by a diving Mothwa.
AmaZulu were given a lifeline against the run of play when they won a dramatic late penalty in the 87th minute but Tapelo Xoki's spot-kick was saved by Mpontshane, who dived to his right to keep it out to seal his side's spot in the next round.
Confirmed line-ups:
Pirates: Mpontshane, Shandu, Ndah, Jele, Mako, Makhubela, Mosele, Monare, Lorch, Hotto, Peprah
Subs: Sandilands, Maela, Mabaso, Jooste, Motshwari, Makaringe, Dzvukamanja, Dlamini, Lepasa.
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Gumede, Khumalo, Xoki, Malepe, Ceesay, Makhaula, Buchanan, Memela, Mulenga, Ntuli.
Subs: Boshoff, Sikhakane, Zulu, Mgwazela, Moremi, Ekstein, Mlambo, Qalinge, Majok.