A brace from Monnapule Saleng guided Orlando Pirates to a 2-0 win over Golden Arrows in DStv Premiership action on Tuesday night.
There was no Richard Ofori in goal for Pirates and was replaced by Siyabonga Mpontshane, who came on in the second half against AmaZulu while James Monyane and Kabelo Dlamini were recalled.
Pirates were off to a flying start and saw Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo hit the crossbar through a clever shot from inside the box following a pass from Monyane.
The Buccaneers though made the breakthrough on six minutes after Monnapule Saleng latched onto a ball in the danger area by Kermit Erasmus and slotted home calmly.
Pirates remained in the ascendancy and bagged a second goal midway in the first half when good work on the ball by Erasmus around the area found Saleng, who finished beyond Nkosingiphile Gumede.
Abafana Besthende didn't lose courage despite trailing and appeared to have reduced the tally moments to halftime when Velemseni Ndwandwe nodded in a ball in the area, but the flag went up.
Pirates' advantage was under threat again early in the second half after Nduduzo Sibiya side-footed a loose pass from a tight angle wide of the mark following good work by Pule Mmodi.
The Buccaneers sprung to life a little later, as Ndlondlo found space in the centre of the area and forced a telling reflex save out of Gumede.
A fresh set of faces from the visitors 12 minutes after the break saw Ben Motshwari enter for Miguel Timm before Dlamini dropped out for Fortune Makaringe.
The match from an overall perspective became evenly balanced near the closing stages, although Mmodi snapped an inviting chance at the back-post well over target.
Mmodi provided more danger in the dying minutes when he cut inside from a clever angle to bring a smart save from Mpontshane, as the Buccaneers went and secured victory.
Confirmed line-ups
Golden Arrows: Gumede, Ndlovu, Manthsiyane, Zuke, Lunga, Dube, Dlamini, Mmodi, Sibiya, Ndwandwe, Moon
Subs: Mbatha, Cele, Nkosi, Magubane, Shitolo, Magawana, Gumbi, Khumalo, Mjengu
Orlando Pirates: Mpontshane, Maela, Sibisi, Ndah, Timm, Dlamini, Monyane, Hotto, Saleng, Ndlondlo, Erasmus
Subs: Chaine, Peprah, Mako, Xoki, Lepasa, Makgopa, Makgaka, Makaringe, Motshwari
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