Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in their Betway Premiership opener on Saturday evening.
Pirates made a single change from the win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarter-finals last Saturday, with Tshepo Mashiloane given his debut as Bandile Shandu made way.
The host nearly profited from an own-goal on ten minutes when a defensive-clearance in the area from Daniel Cardoso bounced back off the upright.
Babina Noko did come close six minutes later where a cutback by Keletso Makgalwa from the left of the area released Bradley Grobler, who sent his effort over the target.
Pirates pushed forward once more inside the half-hour mark as a fierce shot from range by Sipho Mbule forced goalkeper Renaldo Leaner to palm for a corner-kick.
The visitors looked promising on the counter-attack late in the half and very nearly capitalised when Makgalwa broke clear to get goal-side, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine smothered.
At the other end, star man Relebohile Mofokeng almost unlocked the visitors with a curling effort in the area after drawing a cutback but he went wide.
Sekhukhune came out for the second half inspired and were ahead when a snap shot by Siphesihle Mkhize from a loose ball rolled over the goal-line amidst the efforts of Chaine.
The Buccaneers went to the bench ten minutes later and introduced Abdoulaye Mariko for Mbule as well as Yanela Mbuthuma in place of Boitumelo Radiopane.
Pirates pushed numbers inside the final minutes and were denied once again as a header by Mbekezeli Mbokazi following a free-kick came off the post.
The Soweto giants continued piling on the pressure as the final whistle loomed, but Babina Noko held on and secured an opening day victory.
Photo by Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Mashiloane, Sibisi, Mbokazi, Hotto, Nduli, Mbule, Maswanganyi, Mofokeng, Appollis, Radiopane
Subs: Dladla, Sebelebele, Dansin, Mariko, Makgopa, Dlamini, Moremi, Mbuthuma, Ndaba
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Cardoso, Thokolo, Letlapa, Matsimbi, Mntambo, Mkhize, Monare, Makgalwa, Mncube, Grobler
Subs: Ratisani, Langa, Ndlovu, Mokoena, Mnandi, Malivha, Timm, Ohizu, Mampuru
