Orlando Pirates went down 2-0 to SuperSport United in their last DStv Premiership clash on Monday and missed out on a CAF Confederation Cup slot..
Pirates had Happy Jele and Fortune Makaringe back from the 2-2 draw at Royal AM, while SuperSport recalled Ronwen Williams, Kegan Johannes, Thalente Mbatha, Aubrey Ngoma and Iqraam Rayners.
The Buccaneers targeted a quick start in the opening minutes through a first-time strike on the edge of the area by Kwame Peprah following Kabelo Dlamini's cutback, but he drilled over.
This bright opening didn't unsettle United, who grabbed the lead after Makaringe headed into his own net on 20 minutes while attempting to clear Ngoma's pin-point corner-kick.
Pirates were fortunate not to draw level seconds to the half-hour mark when a shot on-the-turn by Peprah at the near post deflected off Luke Fleurs and struck the upright.
The Buccaneers continued piling forward in desperate search of the equalizer late in the half, but those ventures brought no breakthrough whatsoever.
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In the second half, Pirates maintained pressure and were almost rewarded courtesy of Peprah's first-time header that reduced Johannes to a goal-line clearance.
The Buccaneers' evening got harder midway in the restart as Jele committed a foul on Thamsanqa Gabuza in the area, which resulted in a penalty and a straight red card too.
From the resultant spot-kick, goalkeeper Richard Ofori denied Ghampani Lungu but a re-take was ordered following an infringement and the Zambian converted at the second time of asking.
With Thapelo Maseko and Selaelo Rasebotja on in the last 10 minutes, the former nearly handed United a third with a snap header from close-range but Ofori palmed.
Pirates looked for a strong finish five minutes through a curling strike from Tshegofatso Mabasa, but Williams repelled and helped Matsatsatsa to victory and a spot in the top eight.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport: Williams, Nhlapo, Fleurs, Bhasera, Johannes, Rayners, Ngoma, Donn, Lungu, Gabuza, Mbatha
Subs: Pule, Philipps, Webber, Waiswa, Rasebotja, Moralo, Maziko, Ngobeni, Maseko
Pirates: Ofori, Nyauza, Jele, Shandu, Ndah, Mosele, Makaringe, Dlamini, Lorch, Peprah, Hotto.
Subs: Mpontshane, Mabaso, Dzvukamanja, Makhubela, Sam, Hlatshwayo, Mabasa, Ndlovu, Monyane