Orlando Pirates kept their slim title hopes alive in the Betway Premiership with a 2-1 win over Golden Arrows on Tuesday evening.
Patrick Maswanganyi and Deano van Rooyen were back in the Pirates' starting line-up after missing the win over Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend, while Jose Riveiro also gave starts to goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi, Boitumelo Radiopane, Yanga Madiba and Karim Kimvuidi.
The Buccaneers' vulnerability on dead-ball situations nearly handed Arrows the lead after 11 minutes on a corner kick, but Nhlanhla Zwane sent his header wide of the target despite being left un-marked in the box.
It was an unusual opening 30 minutes for the Soweto giants, who spent most of the early stages of the stanza in their own half as Abafana Besthende were able to nullify the visitors' biggest threats in the midfield, including Maswanganyi.
That proved to be the trend for the remainder of the first half but Arrows failed to turn their dominance into goals, as Siyanda Mthanti squandered a glorious chance before the break by firing wide of the upright with only Buthelezi to beat.
The hosts were made to rue the opening half as Pirates took the lead six minutes after the halftime break when Kabelo Dlamini threaded a neat through-ball for Maswanganyi, who rounded Moava and calmly slotted into the back of the net.
However, Arrows managed to level matters just before the hour mark when Siyanda Mthanti bagged his second goal of the campaign by turning home a well-weighted cross from Velemseni Ndwandwe.
Tshegofatso Mabasa made his way onto the field on 61 minutes to replace Radiopane, a decision which paid off ten minutes later when the substitute latched onto Mbokazi's knockdown and volleyed past a helpless Moava.
Arrows made a late push to try and secure a second equaliser, but the Buccaneers defence did well to hold out until the end as the team move to within nine points of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Riveiro's charges will now switch focus to Saturday's Nedbank Cup final against Kaizer Chiefs.
Confirmed line-ups:
Golden Arrows: Maova, Jiyane, Kobedi, Matlaba , Zwane, Dlamini, S.Cele, Ndwandwe , Sibiya, Mthanti, Msomi
Subs: Watenga, Masuku, Lukhele, Nxadi, Maxwele, Van Rooi, Sithole, Malinga, Phillips
Orlando Pirates: Buthelezi, Xoki, Mbokazi, Shandu, van Rooyen, Makhaula, Dlamini, Maswanganyi, Madiba, Kimvuidi, Radiopane
Subs: Dladla, Selepe, Ndlozi, Nkota, Mako, Maela, Mabasa, Makgopa, Hotto
