Orlando Pirates suffered back-to-back defeats in the Betway Premiership after losing 2-1 to Marumo Gallants on Tuesday evening.
Relebohile Mofokeng and Sipho Mbule were named on the bench, as Lebone Seema, Aboudalye Mariko and Tshepang Moremi were handed starts.
The Buccaneers got the ball rolling in the opening quarter when Deon Hotto brought a long-ball under control and rolled it into the area for Patrick Maswanganyi to slot in for the opening goal.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa overcame the slow start and managed to get in advanced areas, with Daniel Msendami and Sekela Sithole causing a bit of trouble, but the visitors held firm.
Pirates almost extended the lead ten minutes to halftime, but a double save from goalkeeper Washington Arubi denied Moremi and Oswin Appollis’ close-range efforts.
The host, however, were level on the stroke of halftime when a neat passing move ended with a cross into the area where Msendami capitalised and fired in off Sipho Chaine.
Pirates provided a lot of intent early on in the second half and furthermore made a double change by introducing Bafana Bafana duo Evidence Makgopa and Mofokeng for Radiopane and Moremi.
Makgopa could’ve had Pirates back in front midway through the second half with a snap shot from a tight angle, but he sent his effort into the side-netting.
Pirates’ lacklustre approach came back to haunt them as the host struck the winner in added time through a first-time finish from close-range area by substitute Jaisen Clifford.
The Buccaneers failed to engineer a response with the minutes flowing by and suffered yet another league defeat.
Confirmed line-ups:
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Sikhosana, Chabatsane, Mphambaniso, Ncube, Msendami, Nhlapo, Khumalo, Sithole, Mabuza, Mabotja
Subs: Mlambo, James, Mbhele, Mhlongo, Khumalo, Motloung, Sithole, Clifford, Mathiane.
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mashiloane, Seema, Mbokazi, Hotto, Nduli, Mariko, Maswanganyi, Moremi, Appollis, Radiopane
Subs: Buthelezi, Dansin, Mofokeng, Sebelebele, Kwayiba, Xoki, Mbule, Makgopa, Ndaba
