Orlando Pirates dropped out of the top three on the DStv Premiership table after losing 2-1 to Sekhukhune United on Saturday night.
Development graduate Thabiso Sesane received a surprise start from the Buccaneers, who had flying wingback Thabiso Lebitso back from suspension as break-out Bafana Bafana star Elias Mokwana lined-up at the other end.
Babina Noko fancied an early lead through a promising free-kick by Jamie Webber from a clever distance, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine got behind the effort.
The Soweto giants engineered a fast response minutes gone with rising star Relebohile Mofokeng making in-roads before getting in a shot, but Badra Ali Sangare collected.
Ultimately, the home team seized advantage two minutes past the half-hour mark when Vusimuzi Mncube combined with former Pirates midfielder Linda Mntambo and beat Chaine.
Pirates instantly looked to go back on equal terms and were denied by sound defending from amongst others Daniel Cardoso after Kabelo Dlamini attempted a curling strike.
Sesane’s return to the side ended ahead of the second half and had Sandile Mthethwa come on to help up shore up the Buccaneers’ defence.
Babina Noko though upped the ante five minutes in when Mokwana got space around the area and set-up Mntambo to get the home team's second goal on the night
Pirates replied instantly after Namibian international Deon Hotto played a pin-point delivery for Tshegofatso Mabasa to tuck in at the back-post.
Mntambo nearly restored their two-goal advantage with a powerful shot from way out of the box, but he ended up going wide of the mark.
Hotto again combined with Mabasa in the final stages of the clash, but the forward was unable to capitalise on this occasion.
Pirates continued to look for the equaliser, but didn’t get a way in and suffered a shock defeat as the win moved Babina Noko to third spot, while the Buccaneers dropped to fourth spot.
Confirmed line-ups:
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Mobbie, Tiwani, Tshibwabwa, Cardoso, Mntambo, Mokwana, Mokotjo, Webber, Mkhize, Mncube
Subs: Mtsweni, Mkhabela, Ntiya-Ntiya, Rikhotso, Mahlangu, Mtshali, Carnell, Mokhele, Ohizu
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Ndah, Sesane, Hotto, Lebitso, Timm, Mbatha, Saleng, Mofokeng, Dlamini, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Mthethwa, Baloni, Kimvuidi, Maela, Kapinga, Ndlondlo, Lepasa, Monyane
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