A second half goal from Deon Hotto was enough to see Orlando Pirates book their place in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 after they beat AmaZulu 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Buccaneers welcomed back the likes of Happy Jele, Olisa Ndah and Paseka Mako to the starting lineup, Usuthu named the likes of Augustine Mulenga and Veli Mothwa in their line up.

Pirates got off to a bright start and nearly opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes but Goodman Mosele and Kwame Peprah were unable to find the back of the net.

Siyabonga Mpontshane was called into action for the first time in the 28th minute when he made a comfortable save to deny AmaZulu from the corner.

The visitors were then denied a penalty midway through the first half after Mosele was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area but the referee waved play on.

Deon Hotto had a chance to hand his side the lead in the 43rd minute but the Pirates attacker was unable to keep his effort down as it blazed over the target.

Mpontshane was called into as early in the second half when he was forced to make a great diving save to deny Luvuyo Memela’s goal-bound effort.

It was Pirates who drew first blood when they broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute after Hotto played a quick one-two with Makhubela before firing his effort into the back of the net.

Pirates opted to make a double substitution in the 68th minute as Zakhele Lepasa and Fortune Makaringe were brought on to replace Peprah and Makhubela.

The home side had a chance to double their lead in the 80th minute when Lepasa picked out Thembinkosi Lorch, who was unable to Mothwa with his effort.

Pirates made another double substitution two minutes later as Abel Mabaso and Thabang Monare were replaced by Bandile Shandu and Ben Motshwari.

Usuthu were then awarded a penalty in the 86th minute after the referee spots a handball inside the box. Tapelo Xoki stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved by Mpontshane.

Pirates should’ve put the game beyond AmaZulu in stoppage time after Hotto played Lepasa through on goal but the attacker was unable to keep his shot at goal down as they held on for a narrow victory over Benni McCarthy’s side.