Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) with a 3-2 victory over Polokwane City in Soweto on Tuesday night.
Rhulani Mokwena named an unchanged team as the Buccaneers looked to snap their three-match winless run across all competitions.
On the other hand, Rise and Shine were desperate for a win having lost six competitive matches in a row.
Although Pirates saw most of the ball in the opening exchanges, they could not seriously test former Jomo Cosmos goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe in the Polokwane goal-posts.
The visitors grew in confidence as the match progressed and they managed to grab an early goal through Charlton Mashumba 12 minutes into the game.
The Zimbabwean hitman headed home Puleng Tlolane's corner-kick to make it 1-0 to Polokwane - stunning the home crowd into silence.
However, the goal did not unsettle Pirates as they continued to attack and they were awarded a penalty after Nicholas Motloung was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Frank Mhango then stepped up and beat Chibwe from the spot-kick to make it 1-1 - netting his second goal in as many league matches nine minutes before half-time.
Both teams were then reduced to 10 players following an altercation between Tlolane and Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch and the two players were red-carded following the incident.
Pirates then piled pressure on Polokwane, but the visitors stood firm at the back and the score was 1-1 at the interval.
Mokwena introduced Tshegofatso Mabasa after the restart as the Buccaneers looked to take the lead for the first time on the night.
The bulky marksman proved to be an inspired substitute as he beat new Zambia international Chibwe to make it 2-1 to Pirates seven minutes after the hour-mark.
Ghanaian marksman Mohammed Anas was introduced by Polokwane interim coach Bernard Molekwa, who replaced holding midfielder Mthokozisi Nene.
The tactical substitution left Rise and Shine vulnerable at the back and they were punished by Kabelo Dlamini as the left-footed attacker scored from close range to make it 3-1 to Pirates in the 78th minute.
Anas did make an impact as he grabbed an assist by setting-up former Pirates attacker Mpho Mvelase, who netted with a curling effort in stoppage time to make it 3-2.
However, the goal proved to be a consolation as Pirates held onto their narrow lead and ultimately, they ran out 3-2 winners over Polokwane on the night.
Pirates' first win since October 2019 took them to the seventh spot on the league standings, while Polokwane slipped down to 10th place.
