Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa admits that Mpumalanga Black Aces provided them with a tough test in their 3-1 win in the Telkom Knockout last 16 on Tuesday.

The Sea Robbers have endured a packed schedule due to their CAF Champions League commitments but dominated for large parts in a thrilling battle against Aces and De Sa again hailed the character of his players.

"It was a tough one. We were 1-0 up, I thought we should have sewn the game up. Going into half-time one up would have been good. A silly mistake just before the half-time whistle, we gave a goal away, and then it was a fight," he said.

"It was the last thing we wanted really. But the guys, once again, showed good character. We kept going, hit the post a few times, kept believing and the goals had to come.

"They (Aces) are that type of side, they play with a lot of flair. They come at you. The boy upfront (Khenyeza) is a handful all the time, he has always been. And it's always going to cause problems the way they play.

"When you are attacking and looking for the goal, you are going to be exposed a bit and they are going to catch you now and then. But we've got to ride our luck as well.

"We needed this win, it was important for us to score some goals as well. Good on everybody."

Asked about the current situation surrounding Lucky Lekgwathi, who has not been a part of the squad, he added, "Lucky will have to start featuring once again. He's been training hard again, he'll bounce back. He's part of our plans, part of our team and I'm sure he'll be back," added the coach.

Read: Bucs Beat Aces In Thriller

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