Orlando Pirates secured a 1-0 win over newly-promoted Orbit College in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night.
Pirates came with three changes from the weekend clash against Mamelodi Sundowns after recalling Bandile Shandu, Abdoulaye Mariko, Tshegofatso Mabasa, while Orbit were unable to feature Monnapule Saleng due to loan agreement with the Buccaneers.
Patrick Maswanganyi, who was substituted in the first half over the weekend, had a chance to make the breakthrough from a ball by Deon Hotto, who fired straight at Sekhoane Moerane.
However, Pirates struggled to get in-behind the visitors who sat deep and played out with pace on the counter-attack in the opening-quarter.
The confidence of Orbit grew and a poor back-pass from Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine allowed Siyabulela Mabele to fire in from range, but the former made up for his error by making the save just before the halftime break.
Pirates made changes at the break by bringing on Nkosikhona Ndaba for Hotto, Sipho Mbule for Mariko and Thalente Mbatha in place of Sihle Ndluli.
The decision paid dividends ten minutes into the second period when Lebone Seema pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the box and volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
The visitors regained momentum a little later and pushed the equaliser through a rasping shot from the area by Mabele, but Chaine was equal to the effort.
Pirates, though, continued to up the ante and nearly doubled the lead with a snap effort by Kamogelo Sebelebele, but it was cleared off the line as the referee waved away appeals for a handball.
The Buccaneers still pushed numbers in the closing minutes and missed another chance when Mbatha fired wide of the upright, but the one goal was enough to seal the win for the Soweto giants.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Shandu, Hotto, Nduli, Mariko, Maswanganyi, Sebelebele, Appollis, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Dansin, Kwayiba, Xoki, Mbule, Makgopa, Mbatha, Moremi, Ndaba
Orbit College: Moerane, Setllhodi, Jingana, Mokgosi, Nhlapo, Batsi, Ramosala, Thidebi, Mabale, Modimoeng, Malatsi
Subs: Nkomo, Khoto, Matsemela, Mkhabela, Ngiba, Lukhele, Letlhake, Motswakhumo
