Sekhukhune United moved up to third spot in the Betway Premiership with a 3-0 victory over ten-man SuperSport United on Sunday evening.
Samir Nurkovic making his long-awaited start for SuperSport, who were competing in their first clash of the year.
There weren't a succession of clear-cut activity in the final third before Vincent Pule went close for the host through a swerving strike which fizzled narrowly across goal.
Matsatsantsa piled more pressure at the midway point when Tashreeq Morris's teasing shot from the area from a solid build-up drew Badra Ali Sangare to a save.
SuperSport went close again a while later where a corner-kick into the box found the head of Eric Mbangossoum who nodded narrowly wide of the mark.
Not all was lost for the visitors who grew confidence towards the break with Keletso Makgalwa a livewire on the ball though carefully monitored whenever on the prowl.
As the host made no changes before the start of the second half, Babina Noko threw on Linda Mntambo and sacrificed development graduate Katlego Sithole.
The move impacted matters five minutes from the return as the traveling outfit got in front through a well-worked effort from Andy Boyeli with the Tshwane boys caught square.
SuperSport's evening worsened in the matter of minutes when a lunging challenge on Relebogile Mokhuoane by Morris saw him get his marching orders.
It saw the visitors utilise the situation to their advantage as Makgalwa thread a timeous through pass to Boyeli to pounce and claimed his second of the day.
The menacing act by the Zambian ace continued inside the final ten minutes when he tucked in from the penalty spot to complete his hat-trick after a foul in the box.
Babina Noko ended up with a dominant victory albeit over ten players and moved to third spot on the table, as United make an unwanted start to the year.
Confirmed line-ups:
SuperSport United: Mbanjwa, Mobbie, Mbangossoum, Poggenpoel, Baliti, Pule, Ndlovu, Lungu, Sanoka, Nurkovic, Morris
Subs: Goss, Rapoo, Moralo, Baloyi, Dzvukamanja, Lakay, Magidigidi, Jansen, Matsio
Sekhukhune United: Sangare, Tshibwabwa, Letlapa, Mkhabela, Cardoso, Mkhize, Mokhouane, Sithole, Makgalwa, Boyeli, Otladisa
Subs: Kazapua, Rammala, Ohizu, Mohamme, Monare, Vandala, Mntambo, Mncube, Mokoena