Lucas Ribeiro Costa netted twice as Mamelodi Sundowns claimed sixth straight win in the DStv Premiership after defeating Polokwane City 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Masandawana recalled Themba Zwane and Neo Maema after their win over Richards Bay FC, with Abdelmounaim Boutouil suspended and Lesiba Nku relegated to the bench.
Sundowns got a penalty on ten minutes when Marcelo Allende drew a foul in the area and left South American compatriot Lucas Ribeiro Costa to convert the resultant spot-kick.
Costa nearly set-up a second midway in the half with a low pass from the right after he had beaten goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula to a loose pass only for Maema to snap the opportunity.
Stand A Chance To Win The 1 of 4 Sundowns Home Shirt
Masanadwana were on the offensive again just past the half-hour mark where a glancing header in the area from Rivaldo Coetzee following Allende's free-kick brought Mathebula to a low save.
The Brazilians doubled the lead five minutes from halftime when Zwane's fierce shot proved difficult for Mathebula and had Ribeiro Costa slot in the rebound to complete his brace.
Zwane had a golden chance to get on board later on with a quick one-two off Maema, but he snapped wide with Mathebula out of position.
Sundowns looked to the bench minutes gone and introduced Mosa Lebusa as well as Bathusi Aubaas, with Grant Kekana and Teboho Mokoena sacrificed.
The Brazilians continued to have the lion share of chances with substitute Nku getting in behind and flashing Zwane's cutback against the side-netting.
Masandawana would be reduced to ten players in the last four minutes as Lebohang Maboe was shown his marching orders following a poor challenge.
However, the reigning champions didn't lose their ascendancy in the match but held firm to claim a sixth successive victory and went eight points clear at the top of the table.
Confirmed line-ups:
Polokwane City: Mathebula, Ndlovu, Nikani, Nana, Mashikinya, Appollis, Maphangule, Matuludi, Van Heerden, Nkaki, Mapfumo
Subs: Mokwena, Chauke, Nkwe, L.Baloyi, Raphadu, F.Baloyi, Ramabu, Goovadia, Thuto
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Kekana, Modiba, Mvala, Coetzee, Mokoena, Maema, Allende, Zwane, Mendieta, Costa
Subs: B.Onyango, Lebusa, Mashego, Seabi, Aubaas, Maboe, Mabena, Nkosi, Nku
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