Orlando Pirates have progressed to the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League after defeating MC Alger 1-0 on aggregate.
Deon Hotto and Tapelo Xoki were recalled to the Buccaneers line-up and replaced Patrick Maswanganyi and Paseka Mako from the team started against Polokwane City on Saturday.
Hotto almost enjoyed a welcome return in the earlier stages when he shaved the top corner with a powerful shot from way out.
Pirates covered a lot of ground and managed to stretch the Algerians on a couple of occasions through the pace of Mohau Nkota and Relebohile Mofokeng.
The match was relatively tight towards the latter stages of the first half, with very few chances created by either side as fierce challenges and fouls took centre stage.
Alger came close to finding the net two minutes into the second half when a header by Ayoub Abdellaoui skinned the top-corner after Pirates went to sleep at the back.
The host maintained a compact pattern in both defence and attack and weren’t too bothered by the bright moments the Algerians enjoyed.
Pirates coach Jose Riveiro made a double substitution in the latter stages, with Maswanganyi summoned on for Nkota while Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo replaced Thalente Mbatha, who was unable to continue.
Alger enjoyed the lion share of chances in the closing minutes, but found the Buccaneers rear-guard led by Sipho Chaine on high alert.
Tempers boiled over in the closing stages as the Algerians pushed for a comeback, but the Soweto giants held on and confirmed their passage to the semi-finals where they will face Pyramids.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Van Rooyen, Sibisi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Hotto, Makhaula, Mbatha, Nkota, Mofokeng, Makgopa
Subs: Buthelezi, Maela, Mako, Shandu, Rasebotja, Ndlondlo, Maswanganyi, Radiopane, Mabasa
MC Alger: Moussaouni, Khelif, Draoui, Ghezala, Abdellaoui, Benkhemassa, Halamia, Naidji, Bangoura, Bouras, Tabti
Subs: Belkir, Hamidi, Menezla, Zunon, Zougrana, Boussaid, Messoussa, Merzougui, Bayazid
