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Cape Town - Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic admits he was delighted to see his squad changes pay off after recording a 2-1 victory over Polokwane City in the Telkom Knockout.
Read: Pirates book Last 8 spot
The Buccaneers entered this weekend’s last-16 encounter on the back of successive Premiership defeats, and looked to be heading towards a third after debutant Tokelo Langa fired Rise and Shine into an early lead.
However, Issa Sarr and Thabo Qalinge were able to hit back for the Sea Robbers to secure their passage to the quarter-finals.
Having made no fewer than five changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Chippa United in the league last time out, Vermezovic admitted he is delighted to have so many options available to him.
"The guys that came back, like Happy [Jele] and [Lehlohonolo] Majoro, they did a good job today. Patrick [Phungwayo] was excellent on the left side," said Vermezovic.
"This proves we have quality, it doesn't matter if we play Majoro or Kermit [Erasmus], or in the middle [Thandani Ntshumayelo] 'Bibo' or Sarr, the question is only the psychological."
The draw for the Telkom Knockout quarter-finals will be made by Premier Soccer League General manager Derek Blanckensee on Monday, October 6.
