Richard Ofori's absence ensured a start for Siyabonga Mpontshane, as the Buccaneers looked to pick up their first win in this season's Confederation Cup group stages.
It was the Buccaneers who made the bright start early on through a free-kick from the left-side, but the attempt from Deon Hotto failed to find target shortly after he missed a golden opportunity.
A defensive mistake from the visitors at the midway stage gave the Buccaneers the opportunity to go ahead, but Linda Mntambo slammed over the top.
The deadlock from the Buccaneers however came in style three minutes to the half-hour mark as Hotto applied a cheeky back-heel finish from a loose pass by Mntambo.
The Peoples' Elephant pushed for the equaliser and were rewarded on the stroke of halftime when Augustine Odalapo rifled home from the penalty spot after a foul by Mpontshane.
Pirates looked to reclaim the lead early in the second half following inter-play between Hotto and Mntambo, but the end result from the latter flew beyond target.
Two changes from Josef Zinnbauer after three minutes had Ben Motshwari withdrawn for Kabelo Dlamini and Mntambo recalled to the bench for Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Pirates were given a chance to regain the lead in the remaining 12 minutes after Gabadinho Mhango went down in the area, but Mabasa slipped and sent his penalty over the crossbar.
Mabasa redeemed himself with a minute to go after he arrived in the area to head home from the near post to give the Sea Robbers their first win in Group A.
Pirates: Mpontshane, Hlatshwayo, Maela, Nyauza, Mako, Monare, Motshwari, Makaringe, Pule, Hotto, Mntambo
Subs: Sandilands, Dzvukamanja, Dlamini, Jooste, Mabaso, Mabasa, Mhango