Mamelodi Sundowns registered a 2-0 victory over Magesi FC in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday evening.
Masandawana featured just one survivor from Saturday’s draw against Orlando Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final first-leg, as Ronwen Williams started in goals.
Williams was called to action on five minutes when he tracked back to his goal-line following a throw-in and kept out a glancing header from Thabang Sibanyoni.
There was more pressure from the host ten minutes later where a looping effort off the head by Wonderboy Makhubu hit the crossbar.
Sundowns struggled to get runs in-behind and locate the returning Peter Shalulile up top, as the home team pulled out a strong defensive stall.
Dikwena were forced to make a substitution five minutes to the break as Lehlogonole Mokone came on for Tshepo Makgoga, who picked up an injury.
Mokone could’ve had a dream entry three minutes later when his header from the area hit the upright with Williams in a spot of bother.
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso looked to the bench ahead of the second period and introduced Thapelo Maseko for debutant Gomolemo Kekana.
The league champions continued to apply pressure but had to wait until the 73rd minute for the opening goal when Jayden Adams toe-poked in a loose ball from close-range following Fawaaz Basadien’s corner.
Dikwena were reduced to ten men nine minutes later as Lehlohonolo Mtshali got his marching orders for committing a dangerous challenge on Tashreeq Matthews.
Shalulile rounded off the scoring two minutes from time when he latched onto a lay-off from Matthews to finish from the edge of the area for his first goal of the campaign.
With that goal, Shalulile has equalled Siyabonga Nomvethe's all-time scoring record (129) in PSL.
Confirmed line-ups:
Magesi FC: Chipezeze, Mokone, Buthelezi, Makgoga, Abrahams, Mtshali, Masegela, Makhubu, Sibanyoni, Vandala, Mosadi
Subs: Tshabalala, Matima, Darpoh, Kakora, Mokone, Van Der Ross, Napier, Mariba, Zungu
Mamelodi Sundowns: William, Basadien, Lunga, Lebusa, Kekana, Aubaas, Mkhulise, Adams, Mabena, Letlhaku, Shalulile.
Subs: Onyango, Cupido, Morena, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Maseko, Matthews, Mothiba.