Orlando Pirates boosted their chances of qualifying for the CAF Champions League after beating Chippa United 2-0 on Wednesday evening.
Pirates made only one change following their 3-1 win against the same opponent in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals, as Innocent Maela took the place of the injured Deon Hotto.
Chippa were quick to close down the Buccaneers in the opening exchanges but on 16 minutes the hosts broke through after Thabiso Monyane raced clear at the near post but he miscued his shot wide.
Jose Riveiro's charges were finding their gap on the right channel and just before the half-hour mark, Patrick Maswanganyi came close to breaking the deadlock with a deflected shot that missed just wide.
The Buccaneers eventually pounced on their attack on the right side eight minutes before the interval after Tshegofatso Mabasa made it 1-0 with a tap-in from a cut-back by Monyane.
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Pirates remained on the front foot and Mabasa doubled their lead just before the break with a strike from the penalty spot after a handball in the box by Baraka Majogoro.
Riveiro looked to control the game better in midfield with a change at half-time as Miguel Timm replaced Makhehlene Makhaula.The Soweto giants were not in a hurry to go forward as they passed the ball around and Chippa could not get to build their rhythm.
With 20 minutes to go, Pirates needed fresh legs as Lesedi Kapinga replaced Kabelo Dlamini and Olisa Ndah made his return after a long lay-off, as he came on for Thabiso Sesane at the back.
The Buccaneers were in complete control in the dying minutes and pinned the Chilli Boys in their own half, clinched their eighth consecutive victory in all competitions and boosted their chances of qualifying for the CAF Champions League.
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Maela, Xoki, Sesane, Monyane, Mbatha, Makhaula, Maswanganyi, Dlamini, Mofokeng, Mabasa
Subs: Buthelezi, Ndah, Sibisi, Ndlondlo, Timm, Kapinga, Pule, Otladisa, Makgopa
Chippa United: Nwabali, Kammies, Poggenpoel, Chabalala, Makhele, Majogoro, Ntsabo, Kwabiya, Luthuli, Francis, Kambindu
Subs: Johnson Tyongwana, Malaoa, Nhlapho, Mqokozo, Pietersen Maarman, Mahlatsi, Ndwandwa
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