Orlando Pirates showed courage against Maritzburg United as the Soweto giants came from behind to claim a 3-1 win in a Nedbank Cup Last 16 game at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Team of Choice broke the deadlock through Thabiso Kutumela, but goals from Kabelo Dlamini, Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule inspired the Buccaneers to a well-deserved victory.
The Team of Choice were hoping to secure their third win at home across all competitions this season having lost 1-0 to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in their last game which was a PSL clash two weeks ago.
Coach Ernst Middendorp included Pirates loanee Tebogo Tlolane in the starting line-up, while Kutumela led Maritzburg's attack against his former side, Bucs.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers were looking to reach the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2017 and they were also enjoying a five-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Linda Mntambo replaced Thembinkosi Lorch in the starting line-up as coach Josef Zinnbauer made one change to the team which faced and drew 1-1 with SuperSport United in a PSL game in midweek.
Maritzburg threatened first through Sibusiso Hlubi with his effort parried away by his former teammate Richard Ofori, who had kept a clean sheet against the Team of Choice as Pirates won 1-0 in a PSL game last month.
However, Ofori was beaten in the ninth minute after he lost possession and Bongokuhle Hlongwane quickly set-up Kutumela, who directed the ball into an empty net to make it 1-0 to Maritzburg.
The Buccaneers launched attacks as they looked to level matters, but they could not seriously test Marcel Engelhardt in the Team of Choice's goal-posts with the hosts' defence looking impenetrable.
Hlongwane, who was a constant threat to the Pirates defence, came close to doubling the hosts' lead after being set-up by Hlubi, but Ofori was alert in the visitors' goal-posts as he finger-tipped the ball over the crossbar.
The score was 1-0 to Maritzburg at half-time with Riyaaz Ismail having made a crucial late tackle to stop Hotto, who was almost sent through on goal.
Zinnbauer introduced Dlamini prior to the start of the second-half and the attacking midfielder changed the complexion of the match - playing some incisive passes in the final third.
Dlamini combined brilliantly with Hotto on the edge of the box, before firing past Engelhardt with a left-footed shot to make it 1-1 in the 56th minute.
The momentum was with the visitors at this point and they managed to double their lead in the 57th minute when Mntambo set-up Hotto, who then beat Engelhardt to make it 2-1 to Pirates.
It was then end-to-end stuff as Ofori pulled off a magnificent save to deny Jose Ali Meza and almost immediately at the other end, Pule hit the side-netting with a curling free-kick.
Pule did find the back of the net with 12 minutes left as he pounced at the far-post and scored to make it 3-1 to Pirates after the hosts had failed to clear their lines.
Hlongwane had a chance to snatch a late equalizing goal in stoppage time, but Happy Jele made a well-timed tackle to deny the 20-year-old striker to ensure that Pirates emerged 3-1 winners on the night.
The victory saw Pirates advance to the quarter-finals and they will now turn their attention to their PSL clash with Bloemfontein Celtic which is set to be played on March 2.
While Maritzburg bowed out of the Nedbank Cup and they are scheduled to face Black Leopards in a PSL game on March 2.
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