Orlando Pirates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sekhukhune United in their first Betway Premiership game of the season at Orlando Stadium on Saturday evening.
Siphesihle Mkhize scored the only goal of the match early in the second half.
Both teams were the busiest in the current transfer window period and it was evident when Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou gave four new signings their first official league start for the club.
Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis, right-back Tshepho Mashiloane as well as midfielders Sipho Mbule and Sihle Nduli made their first Betway Premiership starts.
The players were also part of the Buccaneers in their MTN8 quarter-final triumph over Polokwane City.
Eric Tinkler, on the other hand, made a few changes from the side that beat TS Galaxy in the quarter-finals of the MTN8 last weekend. Captain Linda Mtambo, veteran defender Daniel Cardoso and Thabang Monare all returned to the starting line-up.
ORLANDO PIRATES LOSE THEIR FIRST MATCH OF THE SEASON TO SEKHUKHUNE UNITED
The home side came into the game holding a slight edge in this fixture in terms of head-to-head results. They won four of their league matches against Sekhukhune.
Prior to the match in Soweto, Sekhukhune were the last to claim victory between the two sides during a league clash in April last season.
There was nothing much to write home about in the first half despite a few attempts from either side.
A SOLITARY GOAL BY SIPHESIHLE MKHIZE SHOCKS THE BUCCANEERS IN SOWETO
The visitors opened the scoring three minutes into the second half through midfielder Siphesihle Mkhize. Mkhize took advantage of a rebound, beating Sipho Chaine, who was caught unaware.
Sekhukhune thought they got a penalty a few minutes later after what looked like Mtambo was fouled inside the box. But a free kick was instead given for an initial foul on striker Grobler. Sekhukhune failed to capitalise on the free kick just outside the 18-area box.
Despite the efforts for a comeback by the Buccaneers, Sekhukhune held on to the goal to secure their first win of the season.
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