Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou shuffled his pack following Orlando Pirates’ Soweto Derby win over Kaizer Chiefs.
The Moroccan started to Evidence Makgopa, Andre de Jong and Deano van Rooyen, while Yanela Mbuthuma, Tshepang Moremi and Kamogelo Sebelebele dropped to the bench.
BETWAY PREMIERSHIP: POLOKWANE CITY 1-2 ORLANDO PIRATES
Despite the difficult conditions, Pirates settled quicker and nearly struck early when Makgopa broke through on goal inside the opening exchanges, only to be denied by a sharp save from Polokwane City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula.
Also read: Benni McCarthy on the Kaizer Chiefs job
Orlando Pirates controlled much of the first half, moving the ball confidently and dictating tempo through Oswin Appollis, who looked comfortable against his former side.
Chances, however, proved harder to come by as Mathebula and the Rise and Shine defence stayed organised, forcing Pirates to settle for possession without reward before the break.
At the other end, Sipho Chaine was rarely troubled but reacted well when called upon.
Orlando Pirates eventually found the breakthrough shortly after halftime. A loose ball inside the area fell kindly for Relebohile Mofokeng, who reacted quickest and guided a header over Mathebula to register his fourth league goal of the season.
Polokwane City coach Phuti Mohafe responded by introducing Raymond Daniels and Puleng Moremi in search of attacking energy, while Pirates later turned to Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma to maintain their intensity.
LATE WINNER FOR THE BUCCANEERS
The hosts struggled to gain momentum for long periods, with Orlando Pirates continuing to control possession and threaten on the flanks.
Yet football rarely follows the script. Against the run of play, Polokwane City drew level in the 85th minute when Bonginkosi Dlamini attacked the space ahead of his marker and volleyed past Chaine to set up a tense finale.
Just as the match seemed destined to end level, Orlando Pirates produced one final moment of quality. Deon Hotto found time and space down the left and delivered a precise pass into the box, where Patrick Maswanganyi arrived unmarked to fire home from close range in the 90th minute, sealing a crucial victory for the Buccaneers.
