Zakhele Lepasa and Patrick Maswanganyi were on target as Orlando Pirates defeated Cape Town City 2-0 in the DStv Premiership on Tuesday evening.
Bandile Shandu, Tapelo Xoki, Thabang Monare, Relebohile Mofokeng and Monnapule Saleng all returned to the starting line-up after Pirates' win over Djabal in the CAF Champions League on Friday.
In-form striker Zakhele Lepasa gave the host a ninth-minute lead when he worked an angle on the edge of the area to shield a lurking Keanu Cupido and sent a fine shot into the top corner.
City were eager to get back on equal footing soon after going behind though Taahir Goedeman was unable to make the most of a free-kick in a promising position near the half-hour mark.
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Citizens winger Tshegofatso Nyama was next to threaten the home side's goal with a rasping first-time volley after a delivery from the left around halftime, but he was unable to beat Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
Lepasa was keen to end the half having with another goal as he got on the end of a loose ball in the area before mis-firing the initial attempt and having the follow-up blocked.
The Buccaneers introduced club captain Innocent Maela in place of Nkosinathi Sibisi, while Katlego Mokhuoane and Marc Van Heerden were hauled in by City at the start of the second half.
City were quite close to level matters at the midway phase of the exchanges with effort from substitute Khanyisa Mayo, but Chaine was on guard and palmed over.
However, the Buccaneers extended the lead ten minutes before time as Patrick Maswanganyi gathered space to dispatch Deon Hotto's cross and claim his second goal in as many matches, despite appeals from Keet that the whole ball did not cross the line.
In the end, Pirates were able to hold on to the lead and collected a comfortable win to go as high as fourth on the standings, while City slumped to a fourth straight defeat.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Xoki, Sibisi, Shandu, Mako, Ndlondlo, Monare, Saleng, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Lepasa
Subs: Mpontshane, Mthethwa, Timm, Maela, Dlamini, Marou, Otladisa, Hotto, Monyane
Cape Town City: Keet, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Nyama, Ambina, Mokeke, Goedeman, Gonzalez, Kutumela, Paciencia
Subs: Mpandle, Rhodes, Gordinho, Nodada, Mayo, Van Heerden, Mokhuoane, Sifumba, Zapata
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