Orlando Pirates ended their four-game winless run in the DStv Premiership with a 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United on Tuesday night.
There were wholesale changes for Pirates as Olisa Ndah, James Monyane, Thabang Monare, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo and Karim Kimvuidi returned, with Zakhele Lepasa who scored a hat-trick when the two met in the MTN8 this season out suspended.
It was a patient start for the Buccaneers though were close to taking the lead as Monyane held off a challenge to fire into the side-netting after meeting Patrick Maswanganyi's ball.
Sekhukhune did come close too when youngster Kamogelo Sithole drew a low save from goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi with a rasping shot after he had shaped an opening from the edge of the area.
The Buccaneers pushed numbers in the final minutes to halftime with Thembinkosi Lorch, Monyane and even Ndah all in the last third in a desperate quest to find the back of the net.
Babina Noko introduced Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya after the break and sacrificed fellow wing back Lebohang Mabotja, whilst the Buccaneers remained unchanged.
Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi nearly handed the Buccaneers the lead with a flying header in the box after attacking Kimvuidi's teasing cross, but he unfortunately went wide of target.
At the same time, the Sea Robbers showed a substitution following the midway phase of the second half and introduced Katlego Otladisa ahead of Kimvuidi.
Pirates made more changes as the breakthrough remained elusive, with Vincent Pule introduced after a lengthy absence as well as Relebohile Mofokeng.
Pule and Mofokeng proved influential as they played a quick combination to allow Monyane to come in from the blind side and side-foot in the roof of the net in the final ten minutes.
Pirates were able to run down the final minutes of the match and held on to collect the three points and get the back to winning ways.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Sibisi, Ndah, Monyane, Hotto, Monare, Ndlondlo, Maswanganiyi, Lorch, Kimvuidi, Makgopa
Subs: Ofori, Pule, Mofokeng, Eva Nga, Xoki, Shandu, Saleng, Otladisa, Timm
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mobbie, Mabotja, Cardoso, Gyimah, Mokotjo, Mokwana, Webber, Ohizu, Mkhize, Sithole
Subs: Mtsweni, Mkhabela, Ntiya-Ntiya, Baartman, Mahlangu, Mtshali, Thutlwa, Mosadi, Mokhele
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