Champions Mamelodi Sundowns concluded their Betway Premiership campaign with a 2-0 win over Magesi FC on Sunday evening.
Masandawana made five changes from the win over Chippa United, as Malibongwe Khoza, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Neo Maema and Arthur Sales returned to the starting line-up.
Sundowns needed just four minutes to get going when Lucas Ribeiro flicked a goal-bound effort from Iqraam Rayners past Elvis Chipezeze and registered his 15th league goal of the season.
Rayners, who is also vying for the top-scorer award, looked to get one himself ten minutes later but saw his header from a cross by Ribeiro come off the upright.
Ribeiro claimed his second goal at the midway point of the first half after he collected a pass from Marcelo Allende and curled in the far corner of the net.
Sundowns caused the visitors more problems later on and saw a powerfully struck free-kick by Teboho Mokoena clipped the woodwork, whil Mosa Lebusa’s half-volley from the near side of the area flew inches over the top of goal.
Masandawana coach Miguel Cardoso made a double substitution at the break in Tashreeq Matthews for Mokoena before Lebusa vacated for Mothobi Mvala.
Sundowns’ dominance continued ten minutes from the interval as Rayners dropped a shoulder outside the area and stung the gloves of Chipezeze with a curling effort.
The all-conquering Masandawana almost netted a third goal inside the last 20 minutes with an overhead kick at the far post by Peter Shalulile, who sent his effort wide of the upright.
With time running out, Shalulile reversed roles where he pulled wide and play a low cross for Sales to tap-in but the Brazilian forward missed completely.
Magesi looked for a strong finish to the match and enjoyed a lot of forward momentum, but couldn’t rattle the net as the day belonged to Masandawana.
Confirmed line-ups:
Mamelodi Sundowns: Williams, Mudau, Khoza, Lebusa, Modiba, Mokoena, Allende, Ribeiro, Maema, Sales, Rayners
Subs: Onyango, Kekana, Mvala, Morena, Adams, Mkhulise, Zwane, Matthews, Shalulile
Magesi: Chipezeze, J. Mokone, Matima, Makgoga, Vandala, Buthelezi, L. Mokone, Kakora, Darpoh, Masegela, Baloyi
Subs: Tshabalala, Mashikinya, Komape, Komane, Ashby, Chirambadare, Motupa, Makhubela, Mekoa